Simon, thanks for the clear discussion of our current situation.
Trump's mental decline is becoming more and more obvious, even to casual observers.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to thank them for what they have been doing and to urge them to stand firm and not back down. I'm writing postcards to Virginia voters today.
The $20Billion bailout to Argentina seems worth a mention. Ruben Gallego ties Argentina's universal health care to the shutdown/bailout, after the White House says we are done "SUBSIDIZING THE HEALTHCARE OF THE REST OF THE WORLD. AMERICA FIRST" While Argentina sells soybeans to China and our farmers need a bailout.
You do realize that Argentina is selling soybeans to China because of Trump's stupid tariffs? "Our farmers" -- some of them anyway -- need to stop voting for Republicans.
A lot of our farmers are on Medicaid, one way or another, or Medicare, too. So our taxes are going towards Argentina's Healthcare while decimating their own.
I agree that Schumer and Jeffries are right to insist on medical justice. If Democrats agree to fund the government now. there is absolutely no chance Republicans will negotiate on a single issue. Moses Mike Johnson is lying when he says they will do that. In keeping with what we do as members of Hopium, I have sent the four point agenda to my representatives, and I've endorsed that in many telephone messages I leave - almost every day. I also thank my Democratic representatives for standing up to the Trump political machine. One nit that still bothers me. Schumer and Jeffries left the White House and thanked Trump for listening them. That's a waste of politeness. As evidenced by Trump posting the racist AI versions of Schumer and Jeffies outside the White House, he may have had his hearing aides on, but he did not pay attention to a thing they said. He should not have been thanked for anything.
Finally! For those with GOP/MAGA Senators and Reps…call them relentlessly. Let’s make sure they know THEY own the shutdown. Call today: Here you go! Be annoying!!!
script: This is (name) from (zip) OPEN UP THE GOVERNMENT. TALK TO DEMOCRATS TO DO SO. STOP HURTING OUR COUNTRY WITH YOUR MAGA REFUSAL TO NEGOTIATE. THE GOP IS HURTING THE USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
For those with Dems, call and say, “thanks for standing strong"
If you don’t already have their numbers in your phone (try it!) here’s the main switchboard number.
Maybe I’m just not knowledgeable enough, but I’ve been wondering if there is much point to a budget anymore? Isn’t Trump’s position now that he and his people can spend federal money however they wish in violation of congressional appropriations? And if so, what’s the point of a budget? Is this why the GOP in congress isn’t bothering with the usual processes to create a budget?
It raises interesting questions. I don't think they can, however, spend whatever they want, since Congress still appropriates the money. They seem to be approaching this in a way where they just don't spend where they don't want to spend. Essentially this feels operationally much like a line-item veto, which has also been ruled unconstitutional. If I remember right, there was discussion during Clinton's administration about line-item veto. Of course, Impoundment Control Act I think is 1974.
I think dysfunction better describes the GOP. They oppose federal government spending so broadly, but they know it is unpopular, so it almost paralyzes them. They are the dog that catches the car, or in this case keeps catching the car. They want to cut federal spending until they encounter how unpopular their actions are. Rather than change policies, they just repeatedly do this shit.
Do you know if Trump admin people can access and take the money? Like, is it sitting in an account that only congress has the debit card PIN for so to speak? If Trump and his people can physically access the money (digitally or analog), then…
Well no I don’t know details. I think it goes through from Treasury though. I remember earlier in this spring Noem testifying before Congress, and the Democrat asking questions knew exactly how much money DHS had spent.
I really appreciated the narrative today. I get frustrated with social media buzz that downplays the mostly effective work of Democratic leadership. And the clip of Johnson is a good example of the person we should really be criticizing. Made a couple of donations to CA issue and NJ governor race.
The only leadership shown by Jeffries and, especially, Schumer is the willingness to listen to their colleagues with more courage, more sense, and greater awareness of what the Big Ugly Bill will do to their constituents. I'm pleasantly surprised that they finally caught on.
#1 Our Indivisible group is canvassing against Prop. 1 in Maine which would remove voter rights. #2 I am taking the flyers with me wherever I go giving them to my doctors, their assistance and anyone else in between.
#3 We are starting work on community communication and how to talk with those who think they disagree with us.
I caught up today and watched the interview with Allison Gill. For any of my Hopium colleagues who haven't watched it yet, do. I didn't hear any especially unique questions from Allison, but somehow Simon spoke about things I haven't heard him say before, or not in a while, or not in the way he did there. (That happened when he was speaking with Ryan Lizza a few months back as well. Interesting how different combos bring out different framing.)
There's a segment about elections near the end that we need to talk more about - how to prepare people for what might come, and how to engage anyway, not obey in advance and give up on elections.
On the tiny point that Simon mentions of liking to vote in person so he can see the ballot entered, MA has a "track my ballot" online system. Do all states? I would have been skeptical of mail-in ballots, especially with the weakening of the post office, without that tracking system. I love seeing "ballot accepted" on my screen and I encourage everyone in my local network to check before Election Day so they can vote in person if their ballot didn't arrive or was rejected (usually missing a signature or having a smudge).
Here in AZ if you are a mail ballot voter you can track your ballot acceptance online. You can also sign up for text messaging to track your ballot. I've been a mail voter for years and never worried until 2020 when Taco Don started his nonsense with mail voting and DeJoy throttling the mail service.
I think Maga Mike Johnson will use the shut down so that he won't have to call the House back to session. He is going to run with this as long as he can, so that new House member Adelita Grijalva wont be sworn in and seated, so that she can't provide the 218th vote to initiate the discharge petition to bring releasing the Epstein Files to a floor vote.
How long can they run with this? How long can they just hide from their jobs so they won't face the vote on the Epstein Files, or heaven forbid, the budget? The more the pressure builds, the deeper they will want to hide from it. They are afraid to face the music. They have broken it which was their intent, but now they are afraid of the consequences. Two weeks open in the last two months? You aint seen nothing yet.
It triggered a memory which I hadn't thought about in ages. When I was 7 years old, in second grade, our teacher began to assign homework, probably 3-4 worksheets per week. I never did it. A few weeks went by before she called my parents. Suddenly I had 20+ pages of backlog and i had to face the music. My mom sat me down and I had to do 5 pages per day, including weekends, until it was done.
Maga Mike doesn't have a mother that will make him do his homework. So like a 7 year old he will just continue to find ways to dodge, to keep Grijalva from being seated so the Epstein vote won't come to the floor, which means nothing will happen on the budget neither. It involves lies, obfuscation, blame, whining and excuses. Just like a 7 year old.
When Nancy Pelosi was Speaker, the 2022-23 Budget was passed by December of 2022 ( 3 months of CR)
When Kevin McCarthy held the gavel, the 2023-24 budget was passed in March of 2024 ( 6 months late.)
When Mike Johnson was Speaker, the 2024-25 budget never passed.
We need to LOUDLY BROADCAST this story: Johnson has been dodging his responsibilities and failing at his job ever since he became Speaker. That is why Schumer and Jeffries must hold the line.
I remain incredibly frustrated that Johnson's dysfunction wasn't part of Dem storytelling in 2024. They never should have won back the House, but we ran individual races rather than tell a broader story.
I have one "quibble" with this >> "so that new House member Adelita Grijalva wont be sworn in and seated, so that she can't provide the 218th vote"
She is newly elected, but not a new member yet. That oath means EVERYTHING.
That's right. nearly 3/4 of a million Arizonans are being denied representation over the WHIM of this Johnson.
And yet, Johnson has betrayed HIS oath!! The current Speaker is a traitor. How can a traitor administer an oath? OK... his "faithfulness of service is called into doubt," and in that status he can't administer an oath. Hearings would need to be held.
One test of a truly freedom-MINDED people who values laws, honor, vows, and Constitution would be their active efforts towards first declaring this Speaker unfit -- and next finding an acceptable alternative to administer the Oath to Representative Grijalva.
Even a failed attempt along these lines would inspire many future patriots.
I really like the procrastinating on homework analogy, it fits right in with Simon's point that the Republican refusal to do the necessary work on the budget, now, is childish. My example is from 6th grade, didn't do the free reading (except comic books, which didn't count) the first quarter but I sure did the rest of the year after the report card came home.
Hopefully our Democratic leaders will emphasize the Trump Shutdown Syndrome has struck again as it did in Trump 1.0. They again want to govern by fiat. They own the presidency and both houses of Congress so it's their responsibility to fund the government not ours.
I thought you'all might enjoy what's going on in our Russian affiliate. OK, so maybe they aren't *technically* Hopium members, but spiritually, they sure seem like kinfolk. From the Atlantic (gift link) and not that long--hope you find it as inspiring as I do...
Listened to Andy Kim’s tele-town hall last night. Let’s just say he was amazing. Dignified, firm, articulate. I was equally impressed with the constituents who called in. Not one disagreed with the Democrats. One woman who is 65, with a 40 y/o disabled child who will likely be adversely affected by the shutdown encouraged Senator Kim to hold the line. Another asked how the community can help those who are hurt. Seems like a great idea for Democrats to seize on and promote-helping people while the oligarchs count their billion$.
Link to some recent NJ polls. Always welcome insights. Regardless heads down here in the Garden State!
Hi friends. Sent off a bunch of postcards for a Donna Littlepage in VA; Lots of post carding work going on for down ballot folks. Also calling Jefferies and Schumer to thank and encourage them to hold the line. Also calling Markey and Warren to keep working hard. I'm focusing right now on the military in our cities as that is the scariest to me. A big shout out to Gavin Newsom who has lost his voice becoming OUR VOICE. He's impressive! Thanks Simon, for engaging him. Anywhere he can have a platform is good. OH... the other night on Last Word,Lawrence O'Donnell finally, called out Trump's dementia, derangement, and obvious cognitive decline... over and over again. It was so refreshing. I am hoping we get more traction on this from at least the NY times. (I won't hold my breath). PS.. Simon, do you think the meeting with the military was another "Spectacular" to not only show "virility" but make a distraction from the Epstein files. WOW. He must show up in there, as really really bad!
Great post today, Simon, and great convo with Gov Newsom yesterday (just watched it).
One thing I'd like to see Dems get out in front of is this Pfizer situation (Gov Newsom mentioned it in your convo). I think a great way to frame it is that Pfizer, a huge corporation, blackmailed our government. They said, we'll lower prices, but ONLY if you give us a tax break. THAT is the definition of a rigged system. Unless we get out in front of it, most folks will read this as huge win for Trump. It's really the opposite. It's a huge win for Pfizer, enabled by Trump. And then mention how Pres Biden got companies to lower their drug prices without any quid pro quo.
Another thing, lots of ads for Prop 50 both for and against running here. What's funny is that the newest 'against' ad has majority funding by.... Kevin McCarthy for Congress. I hope the 'Yes' side emphasizes this. McCarthy knows fairness will hurt him and his party.
Simon, thanks for the clear discussion of our current situation.
Trump's mental decline is becoming more and more obvious, even to casual observers.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to thank them for what they have been doing and to urge them to stand firm and not back down. I'm writing postcards to Virginia voters today.
The $20Billion bailout to Argentina seems worth a mention. Ruben Gallego ties Argentina's universal health care to the shutdown/bailout, after the White House says we are done "SUBSIDIZING THE HEALTHCARE OF THE REST OF THE WORLD. AMERICA FIRST" While Argentina sells soybeans to China and our farmers need a bailout.
Maybe also at the same time bailing out Bessent's friend Rob Citrone per this post: https://popular.info/p/trumps-argentina-bailout-enriches
You do realize that Argentina is selling soybeans to China because of Trump's stupid tariffs? "Our farmers" -- some of them anyway -- need to stop voting for Republicans.
A lot of our farmers are on Medicaid, one way or another, or Medicare, too. So our taxes are going towards Argentina's Healthcare while decimating their own.
“Our farmers” are expecting the orange one to send them checks.
Thanks for posting the link to this story. It has not been reported at all in the mainstream media.
It’s the new Hair Club for Men!!
I agree that Schumer and Jeffries are right to insist on medical justice. If Democrats agree to fund the government now. there is absolutely no chance Republicans will negotiate on a single issue. Moses Mike Johnson is lying when he says they will do that. In keeping with what we do as members of Hopium, I have sent the four point agenda to my representatives, and I've endorsed that in many telephone messages I leave - almost every day. I also thank my Democratic representatives for standing up to the Trump political machine. One nit that still bothers me. Schumer and Jeffries left the White House and thanked Trump for listening them. That's a waste of politeness. As evidenced by Trump posting the racist AI versions of Schumer and Jeffies outside the White House, he may have had his hearing aides on, but he did not pay attention to a thing they said. He should not have been thanked for anything.
100%
Finally! For those with GOP/MAGA Senators and Reps…call them relentlessly. Let’s make sure they know THEY own the shutdown. Call today: Here you go! Be annoying!!!
script: This is (name) from (zip) OPEN UP THE GOVERNMENT. TALK TO DEMOCRATS TO DO SO. STOP HURTING OUR COUNTRY WITH YOUR MAGA REFUSAL TO NEGOTIATE. THE GOP IS HURTING THE USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
For those with Dems, call and say, “thanks for standing strong"
If you don’t already have their numbers in your phone (try it!) here’s the main switchboard number.
Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Thanks to @AriellaElm for the idea. https://substack.com/@ariellaelm/note/c-161723572
Oh, I've been calling them just about every day. They will never hear the end of me!
Maybe I’m just not knowledgeable enough, but I’ve been wondering if there is much point to a budget anymore? Isn’t Trump’s position now that he and his people can spend federal money however they wish in violation of congressional appropriations? And if so, what’s the point of a budget? Is this why the GOP in congress isn’t bothering with the usual processes to create a budget?
It raises interesting questions. I don't think they can, however, spend whatever they want, since Congress still appropriates the money. They seem to be approaching this in a way where they just don't spend where they don't want to spend. Essentially this feels operationally much like a line-item veto, which has also been ruled unconstitutional. If I remember right, there was discussion during Clinton's administration about line-item veto. Of course, Impoundment Control Act I think is 1974.
I think dysfunction better describes the GOP. They oppose federal government spending so broadly, but they know it is unpopular, so it almost paralyzes them. They are the dog that catches the car, or in this case keeps catching the car. They want to cut federal spending until they encounter how unpopular their actions are. Rather than change policies, they just repeatedly do this shit.
Do you know if Trump admin people can access and take the money? Like, is it sitting in an account that only congress has the debit card PIN for so to speak? If Trump and his people can physically access the money (digitally or analog), then…
Well no I don’t know details. I think it goes through from Treasury though. I remember earlier in this spring Noem testifying before Congress, and the Democrat asking questions knew exactly how much money DHS had spent.
Well that’s good I guess. If our organized crime administration could, they’d probably just make off with all the money on their way out of office! 😅😨
I’m sure you are right. They could still misuse it of course, including paying out bogus or overcharged contracts. Tom Homan would know about that.
I really appreciated the narrative today. I get frustrated with social media buzz that downplays the mostly effective work of Democratic leadership. And the clip of Johnson is a good example of the person we should really be criticizing. Made a couple of donations to CA issue and NJ governor race.
The only leadership shown by Jeffries and, especially, Schumer is the willingness to listen to their colleagues with more courage, more sense, and greater awareness of what the Big Ugly Bill will do to their constituents. I'm pleasantly surprised that they finally caught on.
#1 Our Indivisible group is canvassing against Prop. 1 in Maine which would remove voter rights. #2 I am taking the flyers with me wherever I go giving them to my doctors, their assistance and anyone else in between.
#3 We are starting work on community communication and how to talk with those who think they disagree with us.
If the New Mexico GOP and congressional MAGAts are the models, the three monkeys would be leading cheers with pompoms, not covering up their senses.
I caught up today and watched the interview with Allison Gill. For any of my Hopium colleagues who haven't watched it yet, do. I didn't hear any especially unique questions from Allison, but somehow Simon spoke about things I haven't heard him say before, or not in a while, or not in the way he did there. (That happened when he was speaking with Ryan Lizza a few months back as well. Interesting how different combos bring out different framing.)
There's a segment about elections near the end that we need to talk more about - how to prepare people for what might come, and how to engage anyway, not obey in advance and give up on elections.
On the tiny point that Simon mentions of liking to vote in person so he can see the ballot entered, MA has a "track my ballot" online system. Do all states? I would have been skeptical of mail-in ballots, especially with the weakening of the post office, without that tracking system. I love seeing "ballot accepted" on my screen and I encourage everyone in my local network to check before Election Day so they can vote in person if their ballot didn't arrive or was rejected (usually missing a signature or having a smudge).
Here in AZ if you are a mail ballot voter you can track your ballot acceptance online. You can also sign up for text messaging to track your ballot. I've been a mail voter for years and never worried until 2020 when Taco Don started his nonsense with mail voting and DeJoy throttling the mail service.
NJ has had ballot tracking for a while.
Likewise, Montana
You will be shocked, shocked (I’m sure) to hear that California has ballot tracking for mail-in votes.
CA has a track my ballot online system too, and they send you a text message when they receive it and when it's counted.
I think Maga Mike Johnson will use the shut down so that he won't have to call the House back to session. He is going to run with this as long as he can, so that new House member Adelita Grijalva wont be sworn in and seated, so that she can't provide the 218th vote to initiate the discharge petition to bring releasing the Epstein Files to a floor vote.
How long can they run with this? How long can they just hide from their jobs so they won't face the vote on the Epstein Files, or heaven forbid, the budget? The more the pressure builds, the deeper they will want to hide from it. They are afraid to face the music. They have broken it which was their intent, but now they are afraid of the consequences. Two weeks open in the last two months? You aint seen nothing yet.
It triggered a memory which I hadn't thought about in ages. When I was 7 years old, in second grade, our teacher began to assign homework, probably 3-4 worksheets per week. I never did it. A few weeks went by before she called my parents. Suddenly I had 20+ pages of backlog and i had to face the music. My mom sat me down and I had to do 5 pages per day, including weekends, until it was done.
Maga Mike doesn't have a mother that will make him do his homework. So like a 7 year old he will just continue to find ways to dodge, to keep Grijalva from being seated so the Epstein vote won't come to the floor, which means nothing will happen on the budget neither. It involves lies, obfuscation, blame, whining and excuses. Just like a 7 year old.
When Nancy Pelosi was Speaker, the 2022-23 Budget was passed by December of 2022 ( 3 months of CR)
When Kevin McCarthy held the gavel, the 2023-24 budget was passed in March of 2024 ( 6 months late.)
When Mike Johnson was Speaker, the 2024-25 budget never passed.
We need to LOUDLY BROADCAST this story: Johnson has been dodging his responsibilities and failing at his job ever since he became Speaker. That is why Schumer and Jeffries must hold the line.
yes, tell this story over and over again
Mike Johnson is also denying Southern AZ representation of their duly elected official. It's shameful.
Can they file a class action lawsuit against Mike Johnson for not seating their duly elected representative?
I remain incredibly frustrated that Johnson's dysfunction wasn't part of Dem storytelling in 2024. They never should have won back the House, but we ran individual races rather than tell a broader story.
I have one "quibble" with this >> "so that new House member Adelita Grijalva wont be sworn in and seated, so that she can't provide the 218th vote"
She is newly elected, but not a new member yet. That oath means EVERYTHING.
That's right. nearly 3/4 of a million Arizonans are being denied representation over the WHIM of this Johnson.
And yet, Johnson has betrayed HIS oath!! The current Speaker is a traitor. How can a traitor administer an oath? OK... his "faithfulness of service is called into doubt," and in that status he can't administer an oath. Hearings would need to be held.
One test of a truly freedom-MINDED people who values laws, honor, vows, and Constitution would be their active efforts towards first declaring this Speaker unfit -- and next finding an acceptable alternative to administer the Oath to Representative Grijalva.
Even a failed attempt along these lines would inspire many future patriots.
I really like the procrastinating on homework analogy, it fits right in with Simon's point that the Republican refusal to do the necessary work on the budget, now, is childish. My example is from 6th grade, didn't do the free reading (except comic books, which didn't count) the first quarter but I sure did the rest of the year after the report card came home.
Hopefully our Democratic leaders will emphasize the Trump Shutdown Syndrome has struck again as it did in Trump 1.0. They again want to govern by fiat. They own the presidency and both houses of Congress so it's their responsibility to fund the government not ours.
I thought you'all might enjoy what's going on in our Russian affiliate. OK, so maybe they aren't *technically* Hopium members, but spiritually, they sure seem like kinfolk. From the Atlantic (gift link) and not that long--hope you find it as inspiring as I do...
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/09/russia-banned-music-putin/684396/?gift=FgeEACUw4iJoER4ZiZvsnO-DStlV3gByOtkcNl5v-Kw&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
PS Simon, I know we have a significant number of Ukrainians in our community--any flesh-and-blood Russians of the right sort? :)
Great article. Thanks for sharing.
Listened to Andy Kim’s tele-town hall last night. Let’s just say he was amazing. Dignified, firm, articulate. I was equally impressed with the constituents who called in. Not one disagreed with the Democrats. One woman who is 65, with a 40 y/o disabled child who will likely be adversely affected by the shutdown encouraged Senator Kim to hold the line. Another asked how the community can help those who are hurt. Seems like a great idea for Democrats to seize on and promote-helping people while the oligarchs count their billion$.
Link to some recent NJ polls. Always welcome insights. Regardless heads down here in the Garden State!
https://newjerseyglobe.com/polling/three-new-polls-find-sherrill-ahead-by-varying-margins/
Great! I was unable to tune in. Thanks for the report!
Hi friends. Sent off a bunch of postcards for a Donna Littlepage in VA; Lots of post carding work going on for down ballot folks. Also calling Jefferies and Schumer to thank and encourage them to hold the line. Also calling Markey and Warren to keep working hard. I'm focusing right now on the military in our cities as that is the scariest to me. A big shout out to Gavin Newsom who has lost his voice becoming OUR VOICE. He's impressive! Thanks Simon, for engaging him. Anywhere he can have a platform is good. OH... the other night on Last Word,Lawrence O'Donnell finally, called out Trump's dementia, derangement, and obvious cognitive decline... over and over again. It was so refreshing. I am hoping we get more traction on this from at least the NY times. (I won't hold my breath). PS.. Simon, do you think the meeting with the military was another "Spectacular" to not only show "virility" but make a distraction from the Epstein files. WOW. He must show up in there, as really really bad!
Great post today, Simon, and great convo with Gov Newsom yesterday (just watched it).
One thing I'd like to see Dems get out in front of is this Pfizer situation (Gov Newsom mentioned it in your convo). I think a great way to frame it is that Pfizer, a huge corporation, blackmailed our government. They said, we'll lower prices, but ONLY if you give us a tax break. THAT is the definition of a rigged system. Unless we get out in front of it, most folks will read this as huge win for Trump. It's really the opposite. It's a huge win for Pfizer, enabled by Trump. And then mention how Pres Biden got companies to lower their drug prices without any quid pro quo.
Another thing, lots of ads for Prop 50 both for and against running here. What's funny is that the newest 'against' ad has majority funding by.... Kevin McCarthy for Congress. I hope the 'Yes' side emphasizes this. McCarthy knows fairness will hurt him and his party.