As many may remember, Krugman left the New York Times over their increasingly intrusive editing (and outright cancellation of his column); Borowitz left the New Yorker after many years.
What do Borowitz, Krugman, Jennifer Rubin, and our own Simon Rosenberg have in common? They use their Substack platforms to effectively communicate directly with their readers and listeners!
That's why I wish we had a different system, a parliamentary one with multiple parties. They can call for "snap" elections to be held in TWO weeks! I'm no political pundit but a casual reader of the news and it appears to me that that kind of political system is much more responsive to changing circumstances and more truly representative of an electorate. 300 million Americans and we're encouraged to be either one "major" party or the other? Not workable. More Americans are registered as neither (a/k/a Independent) than Repug or Dem. Our system is a moribund and ossified, stuck in a rut protector of the status quo.
A big thank you to you and the Hopium community for your support for Susan Crawford and her Wisconsin Supreme Court race. As an active member of the Crawford County Democratic Party in Wisconsin's 3rd CD, I and my colleagues are committed to doing what we can to elect Susan. Your support truly matters!
Many voters still don't know about Crawford and what is at stake. There are negative ads about Crawford on TV. In 2023, the turnout for the S Ct race was about 55% of presidential year turnout. It all depends on turnout.
Wednesday's 7 p.m. debate is hosted by “WISN-TV at Marquette Law School and moderated by 'UPFRONT' hosts Matt Smith and Gerron Jordan. The debate airs statewide and will livestream on WISN's app, Facebook and YouTube pages.”
Wednesday's 7 p.m. debate is hosted by “WISN-TV at Marquette Law School and moderated by 'UPFRONT' hosts Matt Smith and Gerron Jordan. The debate airs statewide and will livestream on WISN's app, Facebook and YouTube pages.”
I’m convinced Trump is destabilizing and decimating our beloved country in preparation for “occupation.” I’m also convinced he is not acting alone. The deportations, the muzzling of free speech and press, conformist ideologies enforced by shrill penalties to our institutions must stop before it’s too late. I wake everyday to a nightmare scenario where his staunchest supporters see no wrongdoing.
That is 100% what he is doing. I would bet if I were a betting person that the tariffs idea is coming from his evil benefactor Vlad. Why? BC he can't stop talking about Russia. Whatever he talks about is either what he's doing or planning, or it's projection.
i think everything he does comes from moscow. everything has weakened america, hurt american people, made us isolated, ruined our economy, got rid of most national security experts, decimated our govt expertise. if you wanted to ruin american w/o firing a shot, eliminating generals in the military, wouldnt this be the playbook?
What do we do about John Fetterman, who is planning to vote yes on the continuing resolution? I don't know anyone in Pennsylvania, who can call to complain.
Listen to what Simon says about the problem before the Senate if the CR gets past the House. There is no easy solution. Vote no and shut down the government-Bad. Vote yes and the government is a shitshow that Republicans own-Bad. Who wants either? So I will wait til Simon gives some clear indication about how I can best speak to the moment before calling on that issue.
Elon Musk wants a shut down. He wants to be able to continue firing "non-essential" workers that will be identified by the shut down. That gives me pause. Anything that Elon Musk wants gives me pause. That is not fear. That is being strategic.
If Musk actually wanted a shut down, he'd go to Massa Trump, and Trump would have his cult members shut things down. It would no longer depend on Democrats -- who are being hood-winked.
He will do what he wants regardless as long as T is onboard. So shut the govt down - that kind of strong resistance is the only thing that works with Trump and all bullies. Call their bluffs.
What is the benefit of continuing the funding that Elon and Trump are impounding at will? Voting for this CR is voting to let them continue to make Congress an afterthought. In my opinion, this is a line to draw - no votes for anything without some kind of ironclad guarantee that funds will be spent as appropriated by CONGRESS. This is no longer business or politics as usual, we are fighting fascism.
The longest single day in history. But if the Dems stand against Republican trickery and vote a unified NO, they gain strength, possible negotiation, and a lot of publicity for our cause. If they vote YES, they and we risk getting swallowed up. Musk and T will do what they want regardless of whether the CR passes or doesn't pass the Senate.
I live in PA. So disappointed in Fetterman. I really have to think hard about what it is I say in my calls to him. I’d like to scream sometimes - but of course that would be totally counterproductive. I try to take the approach of expressing my views and encouraging him to do the right thing. I suspect he’s worried about all the MAGA votes in PA but idk.
I urged Tony Gonzales to vote NO for the CR. I left a voicemail for Cruz urging him to restore aid to Ukraine to avoid a national security crisis.
These senators, even Republicans, must be watching Trump double the tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. They must be horrified even if they are remaining silent. Something needs to give and I wonder who it will be that will raise the alarm?
This was a very interesting conversation between Greg Sargent and Tom Malinowski, a former Congressman. I'm still struggling with what Dems should do if the House passes the CR, but this is another informed view.
Now it appears that Trump and Vance are telling R's that they will ignore the CR and make their own illegal/unconstitutional cuts to the budget after the CR is approved.
I wrote about how the CR was an opportunity for Dems to talk about the Trump Musk crime spree in my posts these last few days, and to further open up that Second Front.
Exactly. This is a good opportunity for presenting the facts for all to see. I know I don't have that quite right. Such a messaging opportunity that could be undertaken by all our Congressional electeds and the DNC in concert together as one voice.
I call my R Rep. Hurd's office every day (and my two Dem. senators) as a registered Independent, Retired RN, MPH, US Army Reserves medical officer. So glad that former-rep Boebert carpetbagged to another district. Hurd is having a tele-town hall and while I will listen in, I told his office that he should be having a in-person, and not bending tooth orders of the former R party (he claims to be a "Reagan Republican," as I pointed out.He beat the good D candidate by only three points, largely because of anti-abortion in our huge rural district, after Boebert was going to get whipped, even here.
I tell all of them of my deep concern about the Musk takeover while trump golfs and betrays our allies and decimates federal agencies, especially the VA in our veteran-heavy district and hospital/services in Grand Junction. I tell them that my father didn't fight across Europe in 1944-5 to see this crap come here.
It's all I can do, besides subscribing to non-corporate news sources and sharing them.
Friends, this is never going to happen. The only time a single person leads us is when we have a President. We are a team, millions of us, and we all have to do our part, every day.
In general it is very important during these challenging times to not set surrealistic expectations about what we can do and then end up perpetually disappointed.
I've been donating to all three: Judge Crawford, Gay Valimont, and Josh Weil. Josh Weil has a postcardstovoters.org mailing list with a concise message to write. This nonprofit organization also has a list for Judge Susan Crawford. I've been doing the postcards for both candidates daily.
I have become more familiar with FL-1 than FL-6. It's normally a 20+ point Red district. I've been reading the local paper: Pensacola News Journal (PNJ), and the letters to the editor have really turned against Trump. Lots of active military, retired vets, and retirees. People getting more "concerned" by the day.
The "spring break" economy is going to suffer by Canadians boycotting the US. I would love Bernie to hold a rally in Pensacola, and for college students to use their spring break to pitch in and preserve our democracy. That might happen...
David Hogg has been down there supporting Gay -- and Josh too.
My question is more what is the national party planning on doing? What is the Hopium community planning? I have seen David Hogg’s ads with Gay, but not much else. It seems as if there is more focus on the mid terms rather than trying to narrow the margins now. I also realize that these are traditionally red districts.
Simon has answered this numerous times. These are deep red districts, and he felt that it would be a waste of money. But if you want to support them, go ahead but we could not keep up with the millions of dollars the Republicans would be putting in. If you see polling that looks like a real turnaround, by all means let us know.
I swear, Simon, I can barely look at any of the news except through your eyes at the moment. I mean, I do. But I need you there, to keep turning this thing, to keep reminding us he's weak, to keep saying keep going. (I am, by the way. Even went to my first protest this Saturday, and that is saying something for a crowd-phobic artist/poet.) So, this is just a thank you. And now I'm going to go send a curse-filled email to McCormick. You should see the absolute SHIT of a "newsletter" he has now put out. Looks like the 1950s. Sounds like Hitler.
It was fun, actually. Helped to have friends near. A few sentences about the experience, from something larger I posted today, in case any other shy types are on the fence: Along the crest of a highway hill, inside the rounding gusts of wind, we lift our battered signs and rippling flags, our reverse-course declarations to the rumble of traffic, to the long horns of supplier trucks, to the short honks of sedans, to the cameras of strangers. Hundreds of us now, and more coming, hundreds of us and all that wind, and this weather is a crucible, but look at us: We’re here.
ON HOPIUM, Simon continues his excellent data-driven analysis of our current predicament, encouraging factual discussion and well-targeted calls to action.
MEANWHILE: "How Trump is reshaping reality by hiding data"
"Curating reality is an old political game, but Trump’s sweeping statistical purges are part of a broader attempt to reinvent “truth”."
In short, the Trump regime continues to erase or bury data it doesn’t like. This article from the Washington Post highlights what has already happened. (Gift link) Expect far more of this. Don’t be surprised if we soon have no reliable unemployment figures, inflation scores or key government economic data.
Not to mention the posting of blatantly stupid and mathematically impossible data like the comment that in just over one month illegal border crossings were down MORE THAN 100%!
try to keep up
Right now, Andy Borowitz has a fascinating live interview with Paul Krugman. Not paywalled.
https://substack.com/@borowitzreport?liveStream=14962
As many may remember, Krugman left the New York Times over their increasingly intrusive editing (and outright cancellation of his column); Borowitz left the New Yorker after many years.
What do Borowitz, Krugman, Jennifer Rubin, and our own Simon Rosenberg have in common? They use their Substack platforms to effectively communicate directly with their readers and listeners!
Thanks so much, Arctic, for this link!!
Just watched - SO good.
A headline I would like to see:
. "Trump accidentally self-deports using new feature in Homeland Security app"
https://www.axios.com/2025/03/11/dhs-new-app-self-deport-feature-immigrants
From your keyboard to God's ears!
Thanks! I copied the link to view it later. Much appreciated.
“If you wonder what you would have done in Nazi Germany in the 1930s, you are doing it now.”
You may want to follow Rep. Tom Mc Clintock and the Yosemite layoffs too.
He needs to post on Bluesky so we can amplify him. Hi website will not allow me to sign up for his newsletter. :-(
We need a leader like Adam Smith to represent the Democratic Party- let’s have the presidential convention now!!!
That's why I wish we had a different system, a parliamentary one with multiple parties. They can call for "snap" elections to be held in TWO weeks! I'm no political pundit but a casual reader of the news and it appears to me that that kind of political system is much more responsive to changing circumstances and more truly representative of an electorate. 300 million Americans and we're encouraged to be either one "major" party or the other? Not workable. More Americans are registered as neither (a/k/a Independent) than Repug or Dem. Our system is a moribund and ossified, stuck in a rut protector of the status quo.
A big thank you to you and the Hopium community for your support for Susan Crawford and her Wisconsin Supreme Court race. As an active member of the Crawford County Democratic Party in Wisconsin's 3rd CD, I and my colleagues are committed to doing what we can to elect Susan. Your support truly matters!
Been writing postcards but it feels like a vacuum. What’s the buzz?
Many voters still don't know about Crawford and what is at stake. There are negative ads about Crawford on TV. In 2023, the turnout for the S Ct race was about 55% of presidential year turnout. It all depends on turnout.
Let’s turn voters out. 😁
The debate is Wednesday at 7:00. Let’s get the word out
Do you have more information on this? Broadcast where? A link?
From WA, in case you missed it -
Wednesday's 7 p.m. debate is hosted by “WISN-TV at Marquette Law School and moderated by 'UPFRONT' hosts Matt Smith and Gerron Jordan. The debate airs statewide and will livestream on WISN's app, Facebook and YouTube pages.”
https://www.wisn.com/article/upfront-recap-crawford-schimel-prepare-for-face-off-in-first-and-only-debate-on-wisn-12/64091952
Many thanks!
My Wisconsin calls are in for “round one” today and postcards written for Judge Crawford. Crawford debate is tomorrow night @7PM central time.
I’m really thankful for this community. I feel tired, sad, angry…and then get here and feel empowered again. Thank you Simon!
One poll had Susan up 42-35, and another has them tied at 47. Not seeing a lot of Shimel yard signs in town, but not a lot of Crawford signs either.
Wednesday's 7 p.m. debate is hosted by “WISN-TV at Marquette Law School and moderated by 'UPFRONT' hosts Matt Smith and Gerron Jordan. The debate airs statewide and will livestream on WISN's app, Facebook and YouTube pages.”
https://www.wisn.com/article/upfront-recap-crawford-schimel-prepare-for-face-off-in-first-and-only-debate-on-wisn-12/64091952
I saw postings about the Wisconsin debate on BlueSky. Can Hopium members spread the word on Facebook? Or other social media?
Je suis Wisconsin 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸!!!!!!
🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
I’m convinced Trump is destabilizing and decimating our beloved country in preparation for “occupation.” I’m also convinced he is not acting alone. The deportations, the muzzling of free speech and press, conformist ideologies enforced by shrill penalties to our institutions must stop before it’s too late. I wake everyday to a nightmare scenario where his staunchest supporters see no wrongdoing.
We need to get louder still.
That is 100% what he is doing. I would bet if I were a betting person that the tariffs idea is coming from his evil benefactor Vlad. Why? BC he can't stop talking about Russia. Whatever he talks about is either what he's doing or planning, or it's projection.
i think everything he does comes from moscow. everything has weakened america, hurt american people, made us isolated, ruined our economy, got rid of most national security experts, decimated our govt expertise. if you wanted to ruin american w/o firing a shot, eliminating generals in the military, wouldnt this be the playbook?
And alienating our allies! I mean who could have fault with Canada other than hockey fans!
"I don’t mind sore losers. It’s the winners I mind."
– Woody Allen
What do we do about John Fetterman, who is planning to vote yes on the continuing resolution? I don't know anyone in Pennsylvania, who can call to complain.
Call Fetterman’s office Philadelphia 215-241-1090 or DC Ofc 202-224-4254
Thanks for the heads up
Senate.gov lists all 100 of them
Listen to what Simon says about the problem before the Senate if the CR gets past the House. There is no easy solution. Vote no and shut down the government-Bad. Vote yes and the government is a shitshow that Republicans own-Bad. Who wants either? So I will wait til Simon gives some clear indication about how I can best speak to the moment before calling on that issue.
"Vote yes and the government is a shitshow..."
Vote yes and you've just strengthened Trump's and Musk's hands. The real ringmasters of the shitshow.
Suddenly a shut-down doesn't look so bad. .. "But I'm afraid.... afraid!" ...
So, let's admit when FEAR is driving us. This government -- which has usurped Congress -- NEEDS to be shut down, if that's how things play out.
"Mr. Schumer, shut down this shit show."
Elon Musk wants a shut down. He wants to be able to continue firing "non-essential" workers that will be identified by the shut down. That gives me pause. Anything that Elon Musk wants gives me pause. That is not fear. That is being strategic.
“Don't throw me into the briar patch, Br'er Fox!"
If Musk actually wanted a shut down, he'd go to Massa Trump, and Trump would have his cult members shut things down. It would no longer depend on Democrats -- who are being hood-winked.
He will do what he wants regardless as long as T is onboard. So shut the govt down - that kind of strong resistance is the only thing that works with Trump and all bullies. Call their bluffs.
My decision exactly! Thank you
What is the benefit of continuing the funding that Elon and Trump are impounding at will? Voting for this CR is voting to let them continue to make Congress an afterthought. In my opinion, this is a line to draw - no votes for anything without some kind of ironclad guarantee that funds will be spent as appropriated by CONGRESS. This is no longer business or politics as usual, we are fighting fascism.
The CR that the House is considering would let Elon keep doing his thing until a vote on a permanent budget.
The longest single day in history. But if the Dems stand against Republican trickery and vote a unified NO, they gain strength, possible negotiation, and a lot of publicity for our cause. If they vote YES, they and we risk getting swallowed up. Musk and T will do what they want regardless of whether the CR passes or doesn't pass the Senate.
I live in PA. So disappointed in Fetterman. I really have to think hard about what it is I say in my calls to him. I’d like to scream sometimes - but of course that would be totally counterproductive. I try to take the approach of expressing my views and encouraging him to do the right thing. I suspect he’s worried about all the MAGA votes in PA but idk.
I live here too. And, you know, sometimes I scream. He won't get reelected, so I have no idea what he is doing.
I urged Tony Gonzales to vote NO for the CR. I left a voicemail for Cruz urging him to restore aid to Ukraine to avoid a national security crisis.
These senators, even Republicans, must be watching Trump double the tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. They must be horrified even if they are remaining silent. Something needs to give and I wonder who it will be that will raise the alarm?
For a Democrat to vote Yes, there have to be some really solid guarantees that the money allocated goes to where it needs to.
This was a very interesting conversation between Greg Sargent and Tom Malinowski, a former Congressman. I'm still struggling with what Dems should do if the House passes the CR, but this is another informed view.
https://newrepublic.com/article/192575/transcript-trump-sinking-heres-dems-shouldnt-save-him
Appreciated this article, Tim
Now it appears that Trump and Vance are telling R's that they will ignore the CR and make their own illegal/unconstitutional cuts to the budget after the CR is approved.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/inside-congress/2025/03/11/johnsons-spending-holdouts-00223195
There may not be a big win here for D's, but there are some big losses in this bill. Additionally, it's not a clean CR either.
https://bsky.app/profile/ringwiss.bsky.social/post/3lk4ckeetks23
I don't see how any D can vote for this.
Our Democratic senators will be Key. Georgia has two Democrats, who will be getting calls.
Yep, exactly. This is a tough call, no doubt. But just letting this through is not an answer either.
I wrote about how the CR was an opportunity for Dems to talk about the Trump Musk crime spree in my posts these last few days, and to further open up that Second Front.
Exactly. This is a good opportunity for presenting the facts for all to see. I know I don't have that quite right. Such a messaging opportunity that could be undertaken by all our Congressional electeds and the DNC in concert together as one voice.
Great conversation. I hope our Democrats in Congress are listening to Malinowski.
I call my R Rep. Hurd's office every day (and my two Dem. senators) as a registered Independent, Retired RN, MPH, US Army Reserves medical officer. So glad that former-rep Boebert carpetbagged to another district. Hurd is having a tele-town hall and while I will listen in, I told his office that he should be having a in-person, and not bending tooth orders of the former R party (he claims to be a "Reagan Republican," as I pointed out.He beat the good D candidate by only three points, largely because of anti-abortion in our huge rural district, after Boebert was going to get whipped, even here.
I tell all of them of my deep concern about the Musk takeover while trump golfs and betrays our allies and decimates federal agencies, especially the VA in our veteran-heavy district and hospital/services in Grand Junction. I tell them that my father didn't fight across Europe in 1944-5 to see this crap come here.
It's all I can do, besides subscribing to non-corporate news sources and sharing them.
I have said this before: we need a single leader to unify all the groups, including this one, who oppose Trump.
This! Especially to manage and amplify messaging on a daily basis. We need widespread, coordinated and consistent messaging nationwide.
In the Hopium Community, we are the Leaders. "We are the ones we've been waiting for."
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/we-are-the-ones-weve-been-waiting
Friends, this is never going to happen. The only time a single person leads us is when we have a President. We are a team, millions of us, and we all have to do our part, every day.
In general it is very important during these challenging times to not set surrealistic expectations about what we can do and then end up perpetually disappointed.
And the Tea Party never really had a clear leader in the 2010s. And look how much power they were able to gain.
I think Tim Walz has made this point before, and it's a very useful insight.
What is being done to fund/support the Democratic candidates in the April FL-01 and FL-06 special elections?
I've been donating to all three: Judge Crawford, Gay Valimont, and Josh Weil. Josh Weil has a postcardstovoters.org mailing list with a concise message to write. This nonprofit organization also has a list for Judge Susan Crawford. I've been doing the postcards for both candidates daily.
I have become more familiar with FL-1 than FL-6. It's normally a 20+ point Red district. I've been reading the local paper: Pensacola News Journal (PNJ), and the letters to the editor have really turned against Trump. Lots of active military, retired vets, and retirees. People getting more "concerned" by the day.
The "spring break" economy is going to suffer by Canadians boycotting the US. I would love Bernie to hold a rally in Pensacola, and for college students to use their spring break to pitch in and preserve our democracy. That might happen...
David Hogg has been down there supporting Gay -- and Josh too.
My question is more what is the national party planning on doing? What is the Hopium community planning? I have seen David Hogg’s ads with Gay, but not much else. It seems as if there is more focus on the mid terms rather than trying to narrow the margins now. I also realize that these are traditionally red districts.
Simon has answered this numerous times. These are deep red districts, and he felt that it would be a waste of money. But if you want to support them, go ahead but we could not keep up with the millions of dollars the Republicans would be putting in. If you see polling that looks like a real turnaround, by all means let us know.
Wow, thanks for the “permission” to make a contribution on my own. Will pass on any info that comes my way.
I swear, Simon, I can barely look at any of the news except through your eyes at the moment. I mean, I do. But I need you there, to keep turning this thing, to keep reminding us he's weak, to keep saying keep going. (I am, by the way. Even went to my first protest this Saturday, and that is saying something for a crowd-phobic artist/poet.) So, this is just a thank you. And now I'm going to go send a curse-filled email to McCormick. You should see the absolute SHIT of a "newsletter" he has now put out. Looks like the 1950s. Sounds like Hitler.
Thank you for taking the big step of that first protest!! They do get easier (from an introverted writer)
It was fun, actually. Helped to have friends near. A few sentences about the experience, from something larger I posted today, in case any other shy types are on the fence: Along the crest of a highway hill, inside the rounding gusts of wind, we lift our battered signs and rippling flags, our reverse-course declarations to the rumble of traffic, to the long horns of supplier trucks, to the short honks of sedans, to the cameras of strangers. Hundreds of us now, and more coming, hundreds of us and all that wind, and this weather is a crucible, but look at us: We’re here.
This is beautiful, Beth. Thank you for sharing it! I hope others here see it. Not sure how long people keep reading the comments on past posts.
Thank you, Susan. It was so interesting to break yet another barrier in my own life. Funny, what Trump Madness does to a soul.
WHEN FACTS GET ERASED…
ON HOPIUM, Simon continues his excellent data-driven analysis of our current predicament, encouraging factual discussion and well-targeted calls to action.
MEANWHILE: "How Trump is reshaping reality by hiding data"
"Curating reality is an old political game, but Trump’s sweeping statistical purges are part of a broader attempt to reinvent “truth”."
In short, the Trump regime continues to erase or bury data it doesn’t like. This article from the Washington Post highlights what has already happened. (Gift link) Expect far more of this. Don’t be surprised if we soon have no reliable unemployment figures, inflation scores or key government economic data.
https://wapo.st/4iCmMtn
Not to mention the posting of blatantly stupid and mathematically impossible data like the comment that in just over one month illegal border crossings were down MORE THAN 100%!
Makes perfect sense – if you count the Americans fleeing Trumpistan.
/s
😂 YES! Similar to a comment that said, "Does this mean folks are moving out of the country illegally?"
Thank you Simon, I'm canvassing in district 6 for Josh wiel, one foot in front of the other, thank you community! We're in this together!