We offer opinions all the time - based in fact, not just venting and dragging each other down. The statement "there is no leadership from the Dems" is just not true, certainly not as a global statement about all Dems, not based in recent polls or 40 elections so far this year. If someone has a suggestion about messaging, offer it. If your Dem elected official isn't showing leadership, name them specifically and call them (as I often have to do for my US Rep, all my others are great).
But the emotions we put out in the world contribute to the general mood. Trump wants us to be gloomy and give up; he wants us to spew it onto each other and drag each other down. Emotional doomerism as Simon calls it helps Trump. Venting and emotional doomerism are political choices and political acts, and they contribute to authoritarianism.
I have called, and written Tillis, Budd and my Dem Reps in NC. I have approx 50 single spaced pages in a doc of letters I have written to them! I have been protesting since the DC Women's March. To ask me to remove my my post because it is gloomy or negative is insane! Are we not allowed to express opinions without concern or fear of censorship here? This is unreal
Gina, first, that's an impressive array of attempts to sway them. I can imagine your frustration.
While Willis, Budd, and your NC Dem Reps are not acting as you'd want, can you see that others are? JB Pritzger, Gavin Newsom, Maxwell Frost, Elizabeth Warren, Eric Swalwell, Bernie Sanders, Robert Garcia, Ro Khanna, and others are showing leadership. When I am (too frequently) frustrated with my US Rep, I call and get others to call, occasionally he changes course, but mostly he doesn't have the skills to live up to this moment. Then, my mantra is remembering others who are living up to and leading in this crisis - literally, saying names and having a mental scroll of their faces, and figuring out what else I can do around him. Do you have a coping strategy for your frustration? I'm asking sincerely. These are horrible times.
Hopium is the only Substack comment community I participate in because we're action oriented, clear about reality (the full reality), and keep operating in a way that moves forward.
Gina, I'm also in NC. I almost dropped dead from shock last week when Budd called out the administration for not supporting western NC and said that he would hold up votes until the promised monies were sent. This indicates to me that he IS listening to his constituents -- at least the Republican ones from the mountains. If western NC residents are calling his office, this means that our message is breaking through! So keep up the good work. Little cracks become big cracks, but only if we keep chipping away (or pouring water behind the dam or whatever metaphor you want to use).
I am often despairing and scared and angry and disclose that to this community. But what I always try to do in those cases, is find some antidote to my malaise. Sometimes, it's just a $25 donation to one of our funds; sometimes, it's a boilerplate email I send/resend to my reps, just to let them know I am aware.
And then I pivot over to the abundance of talent we have - I could go on and on naming them, from Mallory McMorrow to our VA and NJ Gov candidates to Tammy Duckworth to Dan Goldman to Gavin to Pritzker to Padilla to Brad Lander (arrested for the 2nd time).... the list is really long, actually. And Moskowitz's recent tete a tete with Patel was priceless.
I tell myself that "feelings" are not always the truth. I honor them as valid and I own them, but they are not necessarily reality.
Hopium has really changed the way I think and has made me a better soldier in the fight. I've stopped looking at a lot of comment sections because of the doomerism, which makes me despair and want to give up. This site is devoted to action, and in equipping everyone to take action, and the comments section is part of that. Perhaps that's not for everyone! And that's okay! But the moderation is purposeful.
I really, really appreciate Simon's moderation here as so many of everyone's comments lift me up and encourage me to engage in the audacity of hope (to borrow from President Obama). I teach 8th grade history, and it helps me to do my job, not out of despair, but joy to be able to teach my students about both the wonderful and dark parts of American history.
personal venting is not the purpose of the Hopium comments thread. For myself, I am particularly impatient with those dumping their doomerism who obviously haven't read Simon's missives - the starting point for discussion.
Yet personal bashing of Melania's hat and other comments were flying in the chat section of Thursday's live discussion. I guess those "negative comments"
now you're being silly: the chat section of live discussion is not the comments thread of the daily missive. my advice; get all this out of your system on fb or email your friends.
Gina, I asked you to take it down for this statement - There is no leadership from the Dems - is just factually wrong and insulting. My entire post today is about all the things Dem leadership is actually doing. I am happy to refund your membership but this is not about the ability to share opinions. We have community guidelines here - https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/hopium-housekeeing-itemspaid-subscribers - and a core understanding that public expressions of doomerism are selfish; demobilizing; historically wrong; and deeply unwelcome here. That is why I asked you to take the post down.
Simon, 95 Democrats voted YES to the Charlie Kirk Day. How does this show leadership? This is not what I believe the party stands for. The murder of Charlie Kirk is horrible and wrong and another stain on this country. He was free to express his opinion in the forums he created. I do not agree with his messaging. But how could any Democrat vote to support a National Day in honor of his message? Is this who we have become?
38 Dems voted present. Unfortunately threats to political leaders have become the norm in the US. It comes with the job descriptions now. If you voted from a place of fear then you need to find another job. We cannot have “leaders” who refuse to stand up for what this party stands for.
Simon, forgive my naivety here but I didn’t mean to post that CNN article link to generate a debate amongst some of our community members. I agree with your assertions and certainly today’s newsletter. I’m an optimist at heart but naturally anxious and uncertain like the rest of us (though I have my instincts). I was genuinely interested in your take on the article as it pertained to the redistricting war and proclaimed ‘advantages ‘ the editor said the Republicans have ahead of the midterms. Sorry this caused any friction. Wasn’t my intention. Personally, I’ve long felt now the restricting will find itself towards leveling out (right, wrong, or indifferent). With the unassuming openings this gerrymander battle will cause for Democratic favored swing districts, our chances of retaking the House are stronger than many give credit for. Our chances at the senate are now more intriguing and encouraging than anticipated. I will not give in to the fear and defeatism 🙏✌️💕.
Gina, I think I understand your anger about the vote on Charli Kirk today. I think AOC summarized the situation clearly in her remarks today. I think she threads the needle here
AOC is one of the Dem Leaders who should be given more voice. My anger is about more than Democrats voting "yes" to the recent Kirk vote. It is based on a collection of Dems missing votes during cabinet confirmation hearings. Ossoff missed as many votes as Fetterman. Dems from all over the US voted for many of the Trump cabinet nominees. This is a leadership issue, or lack there of. McConnell kept a unified voice in the GOP Senate and "successfully" blocked the Democratic plans.
If Schumer and the Democrats want to gain the upper hand in the upcoming budget showdown, they need to be successfull in selling their position nationally starting yesterday. Otherwise, they will be painted by the Republicans, again, as the ones favoring and causing a shutdown because "they don't like Republicans".
While I see recruiting adds from ICE here in DC, I see no public messaging from the Democrats on their position on the budget. We need to get out of this lose, lose, cycle.
We are not in a lose, lose cycle. We've been winning elections across the country all year. We lead in the critical November elections. Please do better in future posts. Suggest, recommend but let's have the discipline to reject doomerism. And to be clear - ALL THE POLLING says Rs will get blamed for the shutdown.
I don't see it as a lose lose cycle but I do agree with you theat Democrats should be out front and open about their position on the budget. I have been calling my electeds every day for the last week about that.
I mean, it's a bit hard to see any of this stuff with the Kimmel firing and the Kirk assassination. This happens a lot in the news in general, but with Trump especially because you go from one chaotic situation to another like the pachinko balls bouncing around in his skull. Many things just don't break through.
Trump owned the prior shutdown so I have faith he will own this one, too. Kudos to Schumer for pointing out Thune & Johnson’s weakness. Hmmm - no shutdowns under Biden. Perhaps Trump is the problem? 🤔
I saw a clip of Snowflake TACOman talking about how the late night comedians are so mean to him. He speaks about himself in the 3rd person which is just so effing weird. He’s not right in the head - at all.
Agree, and I think Sen. Schumer made a good case that Trump's exhortation -- not to bother negotiating with the Democrats on the budget -- will backfire when it comes to people deciding who to blame for a shutdown.
Simon, thank you for last night's strong dose of hopium! And I'm very glad to hear that Maryland is joining up with other Northeast states on health care. I've been contacting Gov. Moore for weeks asking him to do just this.
I contacted Gov. Moore to thank him. I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to raise the idea of making criminal referrals against law breaking by Trump and his administration. I encouraged all my Virginia friends to vote today and I am writing postcards to Virginia voters.
I've been following the NH situation, also wondering the same. posted this about NH health care in Coos, the poorest county, which is larger than the land area of state of Rhode Island (1,830 sq. mi vs. 1,545) - which is outsourcing financial services of 3 hospitals and home and hospice unit of Coos County/ North Country healthcare to Colorado [yes, Colorado!!!]. yes, rural health care ... very distressing
To take an oath to protect and defend our Constitution, only to then ignore, defy or kick it into the gutter, is an irrefutable act of treason.
There are numerous countries around the world that better suite people who need to bully or be bullied. The fascist wannabe’s polluting our country should try a “run for office” elsewhere because we Americans who believe in this great, imperfect nation will never forsake the cause of Liberty.
I just donated to the Audacious Expansion Fund. Thank you, Simon, for including the Texas Democratic Party.
I have now been redistricted out of District 23 Tony Gonzales into District 21, Chip Roy from bad to worse as part of the Trump mid-decade redistricting. Chip Roy is running for TX AG and maybe a strong Democrat will run in that now open race.
I got moved from MAGA Beth Van Duyne in TX 24 to Julie Johnson TX 32 which now runs east almost to Louisiana. Julie is terrific but this district is now rural and RED.
I found G. Elliott Morris's Substack entry today, "When Identity Politics Trump the Constitution," to be bracing, if a little grim. But its conclusion is not without hope. Last night's meeting was great. I admit I was a little shaken by Miller's "We're coming after you" threats last week. So I was immensely pleased yesterday to see many Democratic leaders say basically, No, we're coming after *you.* Democrats clearly understand the fight now. I am completely prepared to help out where I can and have their backs.
I listened to James Talarico being interviewed on the Trippi Show podcast this morning, and it was quite a revelation to me. I think this guy has some real political gifts. I hadn't heard him before at length until today.
I think he really has the right way to talk to how the power structures on the Right use identity politics to divide and then maintain their wealth and status. He calls it more "top down" rather than "left right". The framing I think is fantastic. He also hits the anti-corruption points well, and he is religious without being overbearing about it (at all).
So what is the strategy that will leave the country convinced that a shutdown will be due to Republican intransigence? How do we get ahead in the national conscientiousness of what we know will be Trump's beratting of the Democrats and Schumer if a shutdown occurs??
Why do you believe Trump can win any argument right now? Why the presumption of strength rather than weakness? He is below 50 on literally every issue incl border security and crime. Your pessimism is misplaced. The whole point of my video and article today and for the last few weeks is that we are going to have to fight this out and we should be bold for he is in a weakened state. Schumer laid it all out there today. Now we need to go fight.
I was pleased to see from th Punchbowl article Simon excerpted that Schumer is beginning to show some more grit. I think the recission piece by itself can show the GOP as bad faith actors. THe Dems must stand their ground on that.
Why negotiate a budget if Republicans have a back door to remove any funding they just agreed to if they don't like it. That should be front and center and Dems should be unified in making that argument EVERY DAY during this process.
Good point on recission. I think many people understand at a gut level the idea that "a deal's a deal," or as my late grandfather put it: "If my word's no good then I'm no good."
Friends are all unsubscribing from their Disney bundles, even one who is vacationing in Europe! I am post card writing in support of Prop 50... please donate in support of Calif Prop 50 if you can! Also attending some Overpass rallies and Indivisible rallies on Saturdays... I am trying to keep busy, I am so angry right now. Donating when I can... writing to my Senators and my wonderful Congressman DeSaulnier who shows up at our Saturday Rallies and speaks at get togethers and town halls all over this district...
Still working on my letters to (see above). Meanwhile, anybody else out there who appreciates Charlie Angus (MeidasCanada) and his resistance movement as much as I do?
I was on the indivisible What's Happening Zoom call yesterday, 7,000 strong & it was uplifting to see how many people were canceling Disney+/Hulu while on the call. I was one of them.
I cancelled Disney the night they suspended Kimmel. I was a comic book fan in the 70s as a kid and really enjoyed the MVU movies when they came out, so I'll miss it at some level. But if Cap were real he wouldn't put up with this shit for a second.
Excellent actions! I too donate what I can to the CA Prop 50 campaign and helped staff a Prop 50 table last evening at our town Farmers Market - most of the responses were quite positive and we had some good conversations with folks.
Simon, thank you. Any idea where we can find a comprehensive list of ABC and Sinclair's advertisers so that we can take the free speech crisis to their pocketbooks?
Thank you Anne. I will look for it and post it here. If you find it, can you post as well? I believe this and boycotting Disney are the most concrete actions we can collectively take right now
I have spent the last few weeks addressing and preparing for a military invasion by the President of the United States. No, I’m not a soldier or a foreign adversary. I’m the Governor of Illinois, one of our nation’s largest and most prosperous states.
This is the reality we face, and it is not acceptable. Even though there is no emergency or insurrection, Donald Trump has put blue states that he considers his enemies in the crosshairs for political punishment. As we work to overcome his Medicaid and SNAP cuts, grow our economy despite his new tariff taxes, balance our budget, rebuild our roads, and help students learn, we must now face a new reality. We have to support our communities as Trump’s ICE agents run rampant on our streets with impunity and detain U.S. citizens—while at the same time navigating the ongoing threats of sending in the National Guard.
I am not surprised. Trump has held onto an obsessive hatred for Illinois since before his first term, and he’s been disparaging Chicago—the most American of cities—since long before he built Trump Tower Chicago. He knows our city is too great, too beloved, and too resilient to ever embrace a small-minded wannabe dictator like him. Everything Trump stands for upsets our collective Midwestern values of hard work, kindness, honesty and caring for our neighbors.
“Be Upstanders for our Democracy”
I could tell you how Chicago’s homicide rate has dropped by nearly 50 percent since the summer of 2021 and is not even in the top 25 most dangerous cities in the U.S; or how Illinois ranks in the top half of states for lowest violent crime rate and has invested more than $250 million violence prevention programs that actually work. I could tell you how Illinois ranks 6th nationally in per capita investments in our police force. And that even with all of this progress, we still have work to do. Indeed, that’s what we’re doing—every single day.
But we all know that Trump’s campaign to militarize Chicago isn’t about crime.
So the question remains: What is this about, and what are we going to do about it?
Share
Chaos and destabilization are the means. Eroding our democratic institutions is his end-goal. He is looking to cause mayhem in the big cities of blue states to create an excuse to call in the military and lay the foundation for actions far more craven.
If your goal is to give tax breaks to yourself and your wealthy friends, then stripping millions of people of their healthcare and food assistance to pay for it makes sense. And if that causes the majority of the public to want to vote against your party, thwarting their will in the 2026 elections requires forceful intervention in the election process.
If your goal is to cement your power, then it’s rational to pardon your most ardent criminal supporters who have been convicted of carrying out violent acts on your behalf. They will be your civilian army.
If your goal is to cause as much chaos as possible, then punishing states that have protected their people from your policies—consequently obstructing your agenda—by sending in our National Guard makes sense.
To justify such rash maneuvers, Trump has claimed that states that protect immigrants are thwarting crime-fighting by doing so. Which is just nonsense.
Our laws protect our people. In Illinois, we have the Trust Act—signed into law by my Republican predecessor—which prevents state and local law enforcement in Illinois from assisting federal agents with civil immigration actions. This serves two purposes: First, we want local law enforcement officials to focus on fighting actual violent crime, while leaving federal immigration agents to enforce federal immigration laws. Second, we want ALL communities to feel comfortable calling law enforcement to seek help, report crimes, and cooperate in investigations—regardless of their immigration status.
Subscribed
We support non-profits on the ground who are leading the charge on Know Your Rights campaigns; providing legal services and other support services for immigrants and their families. Illinois proudly has one of the strongest and most impactful networks of advocacy groups supporting targeted communities in the country. In February, even Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan acknowledged the impact of these campaigns.
But Trump has become increasingly brazen and deranged in his rhetoric and his actions—even going so far as to declare war against Chicago. No President should talk about Chicago like it’s a place to be conquered. And no President should talk about Americans like they are objects of his ire.
What Trump is doing and saying are un-American. That’s why we must all stand up and speak out. Be loud, for America.
He may attack the people of Illinois—but then what comes next? This is bigger than one state. Every day, I am hellbent on letting people know what is at stake. On the ground here, I am sharing whatever information we have about Trump’s nefarious plans with my fellow Illinoisans. I’m meeting with community violence intervention groups, immigration leaders, faith leaders, business leaders, small businesses and communities throughout Chicagoland, because all of us have a role in this fight.
Our country has survived darker periods than the one we are going through now—but that only happened because good people refused to stay silent. The attacks must end with Chicago. So I’m asking you, my fellow Americans across the nation: instead of being bystanders, be upstanders for our democracy.
Unlike Donald Trump, most Americans believe in the ideals our nation was founded upon. Now is the time to stand up for those noble ideals.
I have spent the last few weeks addressing and preparing for a military invasion by the President of the United States. No, I’m not a soldier or a foreign adversary. I’m the Governor of Illinois, one of our nation’s largest and most prosperous states.
This is the reality we face, and it is not acceptable. Even though there is no emergency or insurrection, Donald Trump has put blue states that he considers his enemies in the crosshairs for political punishment. As we work to overcome his Medicaid and SNAP cuts, grow our economy despite his new tariff taxes, balance our budget, rebuild our roads, and help students learn, we must now face a new reality. We have to support our communities as Trump’s ICE agents run rampant on our streets with impunity and detain U.S. citizens—while at the same time navigating the ongoing threats of sending in the National Guard.
I am not surprised. Trump has held onto an obsessive hatred for Illinois since before his first term, and he’s been disparaging Chicago—the most American of cities—since long before he built Trump Tower Chicago. He knows our city is too great, too beloved, and too resilient to ever embrace a small-minded wannabe dictator like him. Everything Trump stands for upsets our collective Midwestern values of hard work, kindness, honesty and caring for our neighbors.
“Be Upstanders for our Democracy”
I could tell you how Chicago’s homicide rate has dropped by nearly 50 percent since the summer of 2021 and is not even in the top 25 most dangerous cities in the U.S; or how Illinois ranks in the top half of states for lowest violent crime rate and has invested more than $250 million violence prevention programs that actually work. I could tell you how Illinois ranks 6th nationally in per capita investments in our police force. And that even with all of this progress, we still have work to do. Indeed, that’s what we’re doing—every single day.
But we all know that Trump’s campaign to militarize Chicago isn’t about crime.
So the question remains: What is this about, and what are we going to do about it?
Share
Chaos and destabilization are the means. Eroding our democratic institutions is his end-goal. He is looking to cause mayhem in the big cities of blue states to create an excuse to call in the military and lay the foundation for actions far more craven.
If your goal is to give tax breaks to yourself and your wealthy friends, then stripping millions of people of their healthcare and food assistance to pay for it makes sense. And if that causes the majority of the public to want to vote against your party, thwarting their will in the 2026 elections requires forceful intervention in the election process.
If your goal is to cement your power, then it’s rational to pardon your most ardent criminal supporters who have been convicted of carrying out violent acts on your behalf. They will be your civilian army.
If your goal is to cause as much chaos as possible, then punishing states that have protected their people from your policies—consequently obstructing your agenda—by sending in our National Guard makes sense.
To justify such rash maneuvers, Trump has claimed that states that protect immigrants are thwarting crime-fighting by doing so. Which is just nonsense.
Our laws protect our people. In Illinois, we have the Trust Act—signed into law by my Republican predecessor—which prevents state and local law enforcement in Illinois from assisting federal agents with civil immigration actions. This serves two purposes: First, we want local law enforcement officials to focus on fighting actual violent crime, while leaving federal immigration agents to enforce federal immigration laws. Second, we want ALL communities to feel comfortable calling law enforcement to seek help, report crimes, and cooperate in investigations—regardless of their immigration status.
Subscribed
We support non-profits on the ground who are leading the charge on Know Your Rights campaigns; providing legal services and other support services for immigrants and their families. Illinois proudly has one of the strongest and most impactful networks of advocacy groups supporting targeted communities in the country. In February, even Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan acknowledged the impact of these campaigns.
But Trump has become increasingly brazen and deranged in his rhetoric and his actions—even going so far as to declare war against Chicago. No President should talk about Chicago like it’s a place to be conquered. And no President should talk about Americans like they are objects of his ire.
What Trump is doing and saying are un-American. That’s why we must all stand up and speak out. Be loud, for America.
He may attack the people of Illinois—but then what comes next? This is bigger than one state. Every day, I am hellbent on letting people know what is at stake. On the ground here, I am sharing whatever information we have about Trump’s nefarious plans with my fellow Illinoisans. I’m meeting with community violence intervention groups, immigration leaders, faith leaders, business leaders, small businesses and communities throughout Chicagoland, because all of us have a role in this fight.
Our country has survived darker periods than the one we are going through now—but that only happened because good people refused to stay silent. The attacks must end with Chicago. So I’m asking you, my fellow Americans across the nation: instead of being bystanders, be upstanders for our democracy.
Unlike Donald Trump, most Americans believe in the ideals our nation was founded upon. Now is the time to stand up for those noble ideals.
Self-reporting: called my representatives today to express my outrage at the lurch towards fascism and to encourage them to be even more vocal critics. Also, my family and I are participating in an anti-ICEstapo protest in the Chicagoland area.
I missed the live meeting last night because there is a group of us who attended one of Bernie's rallies organizing to "fight oligarchy" by mobilizing voters in specific congressional districts to replace the congressperson who voted for the big ugly bill. First up is texting those in our districts to make them aware of this bill and it's impact. We intend to make it personal by follow up phone calls to tell stories of how this bill affects them. I will keep you all posted.
Building on Simon's point about MAGA and soft secession, when it comes to assimilation, MAGA are the ones incapable of assimilating into US civil society, not immigrants. We're talking about a minority of the population who are an intransigent, insurgent element who are continually gnawing away at the foundations of our system. States creating their own protections for vaccines and science are a matter of shoring up and restoring a civil society.
"... when it comes to assimilation, MAGA are the ones incapable of assimilating into US civil society, not immigrants." Brilliant! I laughed out loud when I read that!
Trump has power. That is all he cares about. He craves the attention of our enemies. He is rejecting the Constitution and are NATO agreement. He changes tariffs knowing there will be no pushback from Congress. And now he is shutting down free speech.
I don't think Trump cares about polling anymore. If he did, we would see reaction to it. Instead, he is securing a massive increase in office space for ICE, allowing cuts to Medicare that will hurt those in rural areas, and continues to disappear those that look like immgrants, killing businesses that rely on these people.
Trump's strategy is to win the House by any, and I mean any, means possible. By getting states to redistrict, by claiming mail-in ballots to be rigged, which he will take to the Supreme Court, and maybe by just declaring a national emergency in 2026 in order to shutdown elections. All this because if he can keep the House, the House can reject the electoral college votes should a Democrat win the Presidential election. Frankly, I am surprised he did not declare a national emergency after Charlie Kirk's assasination.
I read what Shumer said. “We believe the American people will understand that they (the Republicans) are causing a shutdown, again, by not being [bipartisan], by not wanting to do anything on health care at all, and by Trump."
But will they believe it? And even so, does Trump care? An overwhelming campaign on social media will be critical in this fight.
Yeah, I am truly frightened by the power Trump is exercising. It allows him to ignore polls and act like a king.
I just don't see him as strong, but instead throwing a bunch of unhinged things against the wall to see what sticks before the window of opportunity that is the 2026 midterms slams shut on him and the GOP, all while ginning up requisite torture porn to show to the base, who is also a small minority of the population.
He's not strong. Trump is a bully weilding unchecked power. He loves Putin and could care less about Americans. THAT is why I am so concerned about the 2026 mid-terms.
We are all concerned. But we have power too. No one is coming to save us, we the people are forcing the issue. The only way out is through. The weaker he gets, the more desperate he gets. But he is even more dangerous if he doesn't get pushback. He is a megalomaniacal crazy man in cognitive and physical decline.
And Chris Murphy and Eric Swalwell are right on when they say we are coming for you. MAGA are cowards, many are snowflakes. The weaker Trump gets, the more pressure on the cowards to peal off to save themselves.
He absolutely cares about polling. He's going to take undemocratic steps to win, whether his polling is good or not. It is accelerated because his polling is so awful. But he does care about the bad polls.
If he doesn't he's even dumber than I think. The bad polls will increase the resistance to his authoritarian actions and violations of the Constitution and law.
He's going to ramp up the illiberal things because he's failing so badly and his polls are getting really awful. He will flail around like the disorganized idiot he is.
So it will get worse, but I think the resistance will get stronger on pace with it.
Hear, hear to all this! So great that Schumer is ready to fight. To those who say in response “it won’t work, Democrats are weak, we will lose and Trump will win” - what is the alternative? For Dems to do nothing (again)? Yes, we might lose (and get blamed for the shutdown) but we also might win but we will 100% lose if we do nothing. Schumer is imperfect but he’s all we got (in the Senate). Trump (sometimes) backs down when he meets resistance (look at the National Guard and Chicago) - he never backs down when he does not.
Our side is not the only one calling for a national divorce. MTG is calling for one as well; see https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5504117-marjorie-taylor-greene-national-divorce/ And the map of regional health alliances is another straw in the wind. A question: If the Dem states all join together for in essence a half-national health alliance and there's a pandemic, would the Dem alliance help the Republican states? And would Republicans from those states try to spread the pandemic to Dem states? I wouldn't put it past them. And how would Trump respond? Having Congress pass a federal law banning vaccines and masks?
Gina, please take this post down. It's both clearly untrue and we just don't do doomerism here.
Why aren’t people allowed to express their opinions here?
We offer opinions all the time - based in fact, not just venting and dragging each other down. The statement "there is no leadership from the Dems" is just not true, certainly not as a global statement about all Dems, not based in recent polls or 40 elections so far this year. If someone has a suggestion about messaging, offer it. If your Dem elected official isn't showing leadership, name them specifically and call them (as I often have to do for my US Rep, all my others are great).
But the emotions we put out in the world contribute to the general mood. Trump wants us to be gloomy and give up; he wants us to spew it onto each other and drag each other down. Emotional doomerism as Simon calls it helps Trump. Venting and emotional doomerism are political choices and political acts, and they contribute to authoritarianism.
Exactly, and I REFUSE to give up!
I have called, and written Tillis, Budd and my Dem Reps in NC. I have approx 50 single spaced pages in a doc of letters I have written to them! I have been protesting since the DC Women's March. To ask me to remove my my post because it is gloomy or negative is insane! Are we not allowed to express opinions without concern or fear of censorship here? This is unreal
Simon!
Gina, first, that's an impressive array of attempts to sway them. I can imagine your frustration.
While Willis, Budd, and your NC Dem Reps are not acting as you'd want, can you see that others are? JB Pritzger, Gavin Newsom, Maxwell Frost, Elizabeth Warren, Eric Swalwell, Bernie Sanders, Robert Garcia, Ro Khanna, and others are showing leadership. When I am (too frequently) frustrated with my US Rep, I call and get others to call, occasionally he changes course, but mostly he doesn't have the skills to live up to this moment. Then, my mantra is remembering others who are living up to and leading in this crisis - literally, saying names and having a mental scroll of their faces, and figuring out what else I can do around him. Do you have a coping strategy for your frustration? I'm asking sincerely. These are horrible times.
Hopium is the only Substack comment community I participate in because we're action oriented, clear about reality (the full reality), and keep operating in a way that moves forward.
Gina, I'm also in NC. I almost dropped dead from shock last week when Budd called out the administration for not supporting western NC and said that he would hold up votes until the promised monies were sent. This indicates to me that he IS listening to his constituents -- at least the Republican ones from the mountains. If western NC residents are calling his office, this means that our message is breaking through! So keep up the good work. Little cracks become big cracks, but only if we keep chipping away (or pouring water behind the dam or whatever metaphor you want to use).
I am often despairing and scared and angry and disclose that to this community. But what I always try to do in those cases, is find some antidote to my malaise. Sometimes, it's just a $25 donation to one of our funds; sometimes, it's a boilerplate email I send/resend to my reps, just to let them know I am aware.
And then I pivot over to the abundance of talent we have - I could go on and on naming them, from Mallory McMorrow to our VA and NJ Gov candidates to Tammy Duckworth to Dan Goldman to Gavin to Pritzker to Padilla to Brad Lander (arrested for the 2nd time).... the list is really long, actually. And Moskowitz's recent tete a tete with Patel was priceless.
I tell myself that "feelings" are not always the truth. I honor them as valid and I own them, but they are not necessarily reality.
And Chris Murphy and Sheldon Whitehouse too
and Jasmine and Max Frost and Ossoff and Tim Walz and Jerry Nadler and AOC and Bernie and Warnock.....
Hopium has really changed the way I think and has made me a better soldier in the fight. I've stopped looking at a lot of comment sections because of the doomerism, which makes me despair and want to give up. This site is devoted to action, and in equipping everyone to take action, and the comments section is part of that. Perhaps that's not for everyone! And that's okay! But the moderation is purposeful.
Same. For me Hopium offers an alternative to the wearying negativity of social media. People can post whatever they want there.
Simon may have launched three kids into the world, but he inherited about 150,000 more, is the way I sometimes look at it.
I really, really appreciate Simon's moderation here as so many of everyone's comments lift me up and encourage me to engage in the audacity of hope (to borrow from President Obama). I teach 8th grade history, and it helps me to do my job, not out of despair, but joy to be able to teach my students about both the wonderful and dark parts of American history.
Thank-you!
personal venting is not the purpose of the Hopium comments thread. For myself, I am particularly impatient with those dumping their doomerism who obviously haven't read Simon's missives - the starting point for discussion.
Yet personal bashing of Melania's hat and other comments were flying in the chat section of Thursday's live discussion. I guess those "negative comments"
are acceptable?
now you're being silly: the chat section of live discussion is not the comments thread of the daily missive. my advice; get all this out of your system on fb or email your friends.
If I am unable to express my opinion safely here then please return my "membership" money Simon.
Gina, I asked you to take it down for this statement - There is no leadership from the Dems - is just factually wrong and insulting. My entire post today is about all the things Dem leadership is actually doing. I am happy to refund your membership but this is not about the ability to share opinions. We have community guidelines here - https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/hopium-housekeeing-itemspaid-subscribers - and a core understanding that public expressions of doomerism are selfish; demobilizing; historically wrong; and deeply unwelcome here. That is why I asked you to take the post down.
Simon, 95 Democrats voted YES to the Charlie Kirk Day. How does this show leadership? This is not what I believe the party stands for. The murder of Charlie Kirk is horrible and wrong and another stain on this country. He was free to express his opinion in the forums he created. I do not agree with his messaging. But how could any Democrat vote to support a National Day in honor of his message? Is this who we have become?
As I wrote below I think people are underestimating how scared Members of Congress are of being killed by right wing vigilantes.
38 Dems voted present. Unfortunately threats to political leaders have become the norm in the US. It comes with the job descriptions now. If you voted from a place of fear then you need to find another job. We cannot have “leaders” who refuse to stand up for what this party stands for.
Simon, forgive my naivety here but I didn’t mean to post that CNN article link to generate a debate amongst some of our community members. I agree with your assertions and certainly today’s newsletter. I’m an optimist at heart but naturally anxious and uncertain like the rest of us (though I have my instincts). I was genuinely interested in your take on the article as it pertained to the redistricting war and proclaimed ‘advantages ‘ the editor said the Republicans have ahead of the midterms. Sorry this caused any friction. Wasn’t my intention. Personally, I’ve long felt now the restricting will find itself towards leveling out (right, wrong, or indifferent). With the unassuming openings this gerrymander battle will cause for Democratic favored swing districts, our chances of retaking the House are stronger than many give credit for. Our chances at the senate are now more intriguing and encouraging than anticipated. I will not give in to the fear and defeatism 🙏✌️💕.
I have removed my opinion based on the community
guidelines.
Gina, I think I understand your anger about the vote on Charli Kirk today. I think AOC summarized the situation clearly in her remarks today. I think she threads the needle here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFa7xcbj3JM
AOC is one of the Dem Leaders who should be given more voice. My anger is about more than Democrats voting "yes" to the recent Kirk vote. It is based on a collection of Dems missing votes during cabinet confirmation hearings. Ossoff missed as many votes as Fetterman. Dems from all over the US voted for many of the Trump cabinet nominees. This is a leadership issue, or lack there of. McConnell kept a unified voice in the GOP Senate and "successfully" blocked the Democratic plans.
If Schumer and the Democrats want to gain the upper hand in the upcoming budget showdown, they need to be successfull in selling their position nationally starting yesterday. Otherwise, they will be painted by the Republicans, again, as the ones favoring and causing a shutdown because "they don't like Republicans".
While I see recruiting adds from ICE here in DC, I see no public messaging from the Democrats on their position on the budget. We need to get out of this lose, lose, cycle.
We are not in a lose, lose cycle. We've been winning elections across the country all year. We lead in the critical November elections. Please do better in future posts. Suggest, recommend but let's have the discipline to reject doomerism. And to be clear - ALL THE POLLING says Rs will get blamed for the shutdown.
I don't see it as a lose lose cycle but I do agree with you theat Democrats should be out front and open about their position on the budget. I have been calling my electeds every day for the last week about that.
I mean, it's a bit hard to see any of this stuff with the Kimmel firing and the Kirk assassination. This happens a lot in the news in general, but with Trump especially because you go from one chaotic situation to another like the pachinko balls bouncing around in his skull. Many things just don't break through.
Great post.
Trump owned the prior shutdown so I have faith he will own this one, too. Kudos to Schumer for pointing out Thune & Johnson’s weakness. Hmmm - no shutdowns under Biden. Perhaps Trump is the problem? 🤔
I saw a clip of Snowflake TACOman talking about how the late night comedians are so mean to him. He speaks about himself in the 3rd person which is just so effing weird. He’s not right in the head - at all.
Agree - a house divided by itself cannot stand.
Agree, and I think Sen. Schumer made a good case that Trump's exhortation -- not to bother negotiating with the Democrats on the budget -- will backfire when it comes to people deciding who to blame for a shutdown.
Simon, thank you for last night's strong dose of hopium! And I'm very glad to hear that Maryland is joining up with other Northeast states on health care. I've been contacting Gov. Moore for weeks asking him to do just this.
I contacted Gov. Moore to thank him. I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to raise the idea of making criminal referrals against law breaking by Trump and his administration. I encouraged all my Virginia friends to vote today and I am writing postcards to Virginia voters.
Notice the 2 NE states ABSENT from the consortium have GOP Governors. Weak.
Have you any suggestions -- beyond contacting our 'governors' -- for the millions of us in these WEAK states?
I've been following the NH situation, also wondering the same. posted this about NH health care in Coos, the poorest county, which is larger than the land area of state of Rhode Island (1,830 sq. mi vs. 1,545) - which is outsourcing financial services of 3 hospitals and home and hospice unit of Coos County/ North Country healthcare to Colorado [yes, Colorado!!!]. yes, rural health care ... very distressing
https://indepthnh.org/2025/09/08/north-country-healthcare-patients-workers-scared-by-outsourcing-possible-layoffs/
Like
Let’s call a spade a spade.
To take an oath to protect and defend our Constitution, only to then ignore, defy or kick it into the gutter, is an irrefutable act of treason.
There are numerous countries around the world that better suite people who need to bully or be bullied. The fascist wannabe’s polluting our country should try a “run for office” elsewhere because we Americans who believe in this great, imperfect nation will never forsake the cause of Liberty.
"To take an oath to protect and defend our Constitution, only to then ignore, defy or kick it into the gutter, is an irrefutable act of treason."
Thank you!!
I consider an oath to be sacred. Our Declaration ends with that word in front of "honor."
When people tolerate the breaking of vows ... all bets are off.
I just donated to the Audacious Expansion Fund. Thank you, Simon, for including the Texas Democratic Party.
I have now been redistricted out of District 23 Tony Gonzales into District 21, Chip Roy from bad to worse as part of the Trump mid-decade redistricting. Chip Roy is running for TX AG and maybe a strong Democrat will run in that now open race.
UGH, I'm so sorry. I got pushed out of the great Frank Pallone's district and into the Traitor Chris Smith, so I feel your pain.
I got moved from MAGA Beth Van Duyne in TX 24 to Julie Johnson TX 32 which now runs east almost to Louisiana. Julie is terrific but this district is now rural and RED.
I found G. Elliott Morris's Substack entry today, "When Identity Politics Trump the Constitution," to be bracing, if a little grim. But its conclusion is not without hope. Last night's meeting was great. I admit I was a little shaken by Miller's "We're coming after you" threats last week. So I was immensely pleased yesterday to see many Democratic leaders say basically, No, we're coming after *you.* Democrats clearly understand the fight now. I am completely prepared to help out where I can and have their backs.
I listened to James Talarico being interviewed on the Trippi Show podcast this morning, and it was quite a revelation to me. I think this guy has some real political gifts. I hadn't heard him before at length until today.
I think he really has the right way to talk to how the power structures on the Right use identity politics to divide and then maintain their wealth and status. He calls it more "top down" rather than "left right". The framing I think is fantastic. He also hits the anti-corruption points well, and he is religious without being overbearing about it (at all).
I'm looking forward to Simon interviewing him.
Love Talarico!
Yes, me too! OG Joe Trippi fan here - he is another brilliant strategist who ran Dr. Dean's campaign way back when.
Yes! I heard him on the Lincoln Project and agree that he is very inspiring. And he was a middle school teacher!
What a great post🥳
Fair enough, Simon.
So what is the strategy that will leave the country convinced that a shutdown will be due to Republican intransigence? How do we get ahead in the national conscientiousness of what we know will be Trump's beratting of the Democrats and Schumer if a shutdown occurs??
Why do you believe Trump can win any argument right now? Why the presumption of strength rather than weakness? He is below 50 on literally every issue incl border security and crime. Your pessimism is misplaced. The whole point of my video and article today and for the last few weeks is that we are going to have to fight this out and we should be bold for he is in a weakened state. Schumer laid it all out there today. Now we need to go fight.
I was pleased to see from th Punchbowl article Simon excerpted that Schumer is beginning to show some more grit. I think the recission piece by itself can show the GOP as bad faith actors. THe Dems must stand their ground on that.
Why negotiate a budget if Republicans have a back door to remove any funding they just agreed to if they don't like it. That should be front and center and Dems should be unified in making that argument EVERY DAY during this process.
Good point on recission. I think many people understand at a gut level the idea that "a deal's a deal," or as my late grandfather put it: "If my word's no good then I'm no good."
Friends are all unsubscribing from their Disney bundles, even one who is vacationing in Europe! I am post card writing in support of Prop 50... please donate in support of Calif Prop 50 if you can! Also attending some Overpass rallies and Indivisible rallies on Saturdays... I am trying to keep busy, I am so angry right now. Donating when I can... writing to my Senators and my wonderful Congressman DeSaulnier who shows up at our Saturday Rallies and speaks at get togethers and town halls all over this district...
I dropped Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+. I watch NHL games but I guess not this year.
I also sent emails to about every exec at ABC, and also to Robert Iger. I found three different addresses and none of them at least bounced back.
Still working on my letters to (see above). Meanwhile, anybody else out there who appreciates Charlie Angus (MeidasCanada) and his resistance movement as much as I do?
I was on the indivisible What's Happening Zoom call yesterday, 7,000 strong & it was uplifting to see how many people were canceling Disney+/Hulu while on the call. I was one of them.
I cancelled Disney the night they suspended Kimmel. I was a comic book fan in the 70s as a kid and really enjoyed the MVU movies when they came out, so I'll miss it at some level. But if Cap were real he wouldn't put up with this shit for a second.
Excellent actions! I too donate what I can to the CA Prop 50 campaign and helped staff a Prop 50 table last evening at our town Farmers Market - most of the responses were quite positive and we had some good conversations with folks.
Simon, thank you. Any idea where we can find a comprehensive list of ABC and Sinclair's advertisers so that we can take the free speech crisis to their pocketbooks?
I can't access it right now (I have a lot of sites blocked so I don't read them all day), but there's a post on Daily Kos that lists them.
Thank you Anne. I will look for it and post it here. If you find it, can you post as well? I believe this and boycotting Disney are the most concrete actions we can collectively take right now
For a start, here is a list of Sinclair stations nationally
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_stations_owned_or_operated_by_Sinclair_Broadcast_Group
Governor Pritzker speaking out--yes, the Dems are speaking out
Be Loud--For America
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#inbox/WhctKLbmmFLHzbQRVLpSfNPPLSbnzZXtkdtrkDzfPLrrbRCBJWJZWBxQTfDGcFlFxrKwkxV
Clicked on link and nothing popped up except blank GMail logo
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more
Be Loud — For America
By Governor JB Pritzker
Sep 19
READ IN APP
I have spent the last few weeks addressing and preparing for a military invasion by the President of the United States. No, I’m not a soldier or a foreign adversary. I’m the Governor of Illinois, one of our nation’s largest and most prosperous states.
This is the reality we face, and it is not acceptable. Even though there is no emergency or insurrection, Donald Trump has put blue states that he considers his enemies in the crosshairs for political punishment. As we work to overcome his Medicaid and SNAP cuts, grow our economy despite his new tariff taxes, balance our budget, rebuild our roads, and help students learn, we must now face a new reality. We have to support our communities as Trump’s ICE agents run rampant on our streets with impunity and detain U.S. citizens—while at the same time navigating the ongoing threats of sending in the National Guard.
I am not surprised. Trump has held onto an obsessive hatred for Illinois since before his first term, and he’s been disparaging Chicago—the most American of cities—since long before he built Trump Tower Chicago. He knows our city is too great, too beloved, and too resilient to ever embrace a small-minded wannabe dictator like him. Everything Trump stands for upsets our collective Midwestern values of hard work, kindness, honesty and caring for our neighbors.
“Be Upstanders for our Democracy”
I could tell you how Chicago’s homicide rate has dropped by nearly 50 percent since the summer of 2021 and is not even in the top 25 most dangerous cities in the U.S; or how Illinois ranks in the top half of states for lowest violent crime rate and has invested more than $250 million violence prevention programs that actually work. I could tell you how Illinois ranks 6th nationally in per capita investments in our police force. And that even with all of this progress, we still have work to do. Indeed, that’s what we’re doing—every single day.
But we all know that Trump’s campaign to militarize Chicago isn’t about crime.
So the question remains: What is this about, and what are we going to do about it?
Share
Chaos and destabilization are the means. Eroding our democratic institutions is his end-goal. He is looking to cause mayhem in the big cities of blue states to create an excuse to call in the military and lay the foundation for actions far more craven.
If your goal is to give tax breaks to yourself and your wealthy friends, then stripping millions of people of their healthcare and food assistance to pay for it makes sense. And if that causes the majority of the public to want to vote against your party, thwarting their will in the 2026 elections requires forceful intervention in the election process.
If your goal is to cement your power, then it’s rational to pardon your most ardent criminal supporters who have been convicted of carrying out violent acts on your behalf. They will be your civilian army.
If your goal is to cause as much chaos as possible, then punishing states that have protected their people from your policies—consequently obstructing your agenda—by sending in our National Guard makes sense.
To justify such rash maneuvers, Trump has claimed that states that protect immigrants are thwarting crime-fighting by doing so. Which is just nonsense.
Our laws protect our people. In Illinois, we have the Trust Act—signed into law by my Republican predecessor—which prevents state and local law enforcement in Illinois from assisting federal agents with civil immigration actions. This serves two purposes: First, we want local law enforcement officials to focus on fighting actual violent crime, while leaving federal immigration agents to enforce federal immigration laws. Second, we want ALL communities to feel comfortable calling law enforcement to seek help, report crimes, and cooperate in investigations—regardless of their immigration status.
Subscribed
We support non-profits on the ground who are leading the charge on Know Your Rights campaigns; providing legal services and other support services for immigrants and their families. Illinois proudly has one of the strongest and most impactful networks of advocacy groups supporting targeted communities in the country. In February, even Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan acknowledged the impact of these campaigns.
But Trump has become increasingly brazen and deranged in his rhetoric and his actions—even going so far as to declare war against Chicago. No President should talk about Chicago like it’s a place to be conquered. And no President should talk about Americans like they are objects of his ire.
What Trump is doing and saying are un-American. That’s why we must all stand up and speak out. Be loud, for America.
He may attack the people of Illinois—but then what comes next? This is bigger than one state. Every day, I am hellbent on letting people know what is at stake. On the ground here, I am sharing whatever information we have about Trump’s nefarious plans with my fellow Illinoisans. I’m meeting with community violence intervention groups, immigration leaders, faith leaders, business leaders, small businesses and communities throughout Chicagoland, because all of us have a role in this fight.
Our country has survived darker periods than the one we are going through now—but that only happened because good people refused to stay silent. The attacks must end with Chicago. So I’m asking you, my fellow Americans across the nation: instead of being bystanders, be upstanders for our democracy.
Unlike Donald Trump, most Americans believe in the ideals our nation was founded upon. Now is the time to stand up for those noble ideals.
Be Loud — For America
By Governor JB Pritzker
Sep 19
READ IN APP
I have spent the last few weeks addressing and preparing for a military invasion by the President of the United States. No, I’m not a soldier or a foreign adversary. I’m the Governor of Illinois, one of our nation’s largest and most prosperous states.
This is the reality we face, and it is not acceptable. Even though there is no emergency or insurrection, Donald Trump has put blue states that he considers his enemies in the crosshairs for political punishment. As we work to overcome his Medicaid and SNAP cuts, grow our economy despite his new tariff taxes, balance our budget, rebuild our roads, and help students learn, we must now face a new reality. We have to support our communities as Trump’s ICE agents run rampant on our streets with impunity and detain U.S. citizens—while at the same time navigating the ongoing threats of sending in the National Guard.
I am not surprised. Trump has held onto an obsessive hatred for Illinois since before his first term, and he’s been disparaging Chicago—the most American of cities—since long before he built Trump Tower Chicago. He knows our city is too great, too beloved, and too resilient to ever embrace a small-minded wannabe dictator like him. Everything Trump stands for upsets our collective Midwestern values of hard work, kindness, honesty and caring for our neighbors.
“Be Upstanders for our Democracy”
I could tell you how Chicago’s homicide rate has dropped by nearly 50 percent since the summer of 2021 and is not even in the top 25 most dangerous cities in the U.S; or how Illinois ranks in the top half of states for lowest violent crime rate and has invested more than $250 million violence prevention programs that actually work. I could tell you how Illinois ranks 6th nationally in per capita investments in our police force. And that even with all of this progress, we still have work to do. Indeed, that’s what we’re doing—every single day.
But we all know that Trump’s campaign to militarize Chicago isn’t about crime.
So the question remains: What is this about, and what are we going to do about it?
Share
Chaos and destabilization are the means. Eroding our democratic institutions is his end-goal. He is looking to cause mayhem in the big cities of blue states to create an excuse to call in the military and lay the foundation for actions far more craven.
If your goal is to give tax breaks to yourself and your wealthy friends, then stripping millions of people of their healthcare and food assistance to pay for it makes sense. And if that causes the majority of the public to want to vote against your party, thwarting their will in the 2026 elections requires forceful intervention in the election process.
If your goal is to cement your power, then it’s rational to pardon your most ardent criminal supporters who have been convicted of carrying out violent acts on your behalf. They will be your civilian army.
If your goal is to cause as much chaos as possible, then punishing states that have protected their people from your policies—consequently obstructing your agenda—by sending in our National Guard makes sense.
To justify such rash maneuvers, Trump has claimed that states that protect immigrants are thwarting crime-fighting by doing so. Which is just nonsense.
Our laws protect our people. In Illinois, we have the Trust Act—signed into law by my Republican predecessor—which prevents state and local law enforcement in Illinois from assisting federal agents with civil immigration actions. This serves two purposes: First, we want local law enforcement officials to focus on fighting actual violent crime, while leaving federal immigration agents to enforce federal immigration laws. Second, we want ALL communities to feel comfortable calling law enforcement to seek help, report crimes, and cooperate in investigations—regardless of their immigration status.
Subscribed
We support non-profits on the ground who are leading the charge on Know Your Rights campaigns; providing legal services and other support services for immigrants and their families. Illinois proudly has one of the strongest and most impactful networks of advocacy groups supporting targeted communities in the country. In February, even Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan acknowledged the impact of these campaigns.
But Trump has become increasingly brazen and deranged in his rhetoric and his actions—even going so far as to declare war against Chicago. No President should talk about Chicago like it’s a place to be conquered. And no President should talk about Americans like they are objects of his ire.
What Trump is doing and saying are un-American. That’s why we must all stand up and speak out. Be loud, for America.
He may attack the people of Illinois—but then what comes next? This is bigger than one state. Every day, I am hellbent on letting people know what is at stake. On the ground here, I am sharing whatever information we have about Trump’s nefarious plans with my fellow Illinoisans. I’m meeting with community violence intervention groups, immigration leaders, faith leaders, business leaders, small businesses and communities throughout Chicagoland, because all of us have a role in this fight.
Our country has survived darker periods than the one we are going through now—but that only happened because good people refused to stay silent. The attacks must end with Chicago. So I’m asking you, my fellow Americans across the nation: instead of being bystanders, be upstanders for our democracy.
Unlike Donald Trump, most Americans believe in the ideals our nation was founded upon. Now is the time to stand up for those noble ideals.
Hi! A friend who worked in TV says the best thing we can do is call the local advertisers of a Sinclair or Nexstar station and complain.
Or better yet, apparently, write by snail mail!
Someone who worked in TV that I know says written letters really send them into a panic
Disney-ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution
500 S Buena Vista Street
Burbank, 91521-3515
you’re absolutely right
Self-reporting: called my representatives today to express my outrage at the lurch towards fascism and to encourage them to be even more vocal critics. Also, my family and I are participating in an anti-ICEstapo protest in the Chicagoland area.
ICEstapo is good framing. I'm going to steal it!
A new term for my protest sign idea list!
love ICEstapo
Good one! Time to melt the ICEstapo.
I missed the live meeting last night because there is a group of us who attended one of Bernie's rallies organizing to "fight oligarchy" by mobilizing voters in specific congressional districts to replace the congressperson who voted for the big ugly bill. First up is texting those in our districts to make them aware of this bill and it's impact. We intend to make it personal by follow up phone calls to tell stories of how this bill affects them. I will keep you all posted.
Building on Simon's point about MAGA and soft secession, when it comes to assimilation, MAGA are the ones incapable of assimilating into US civil society, not immigrants. We're talking about a minority of the population who are an intransigent, insurgent element who are continually gnawing away at the foundations of our system. States creating their own protections for vaccines and science are a matter of shoring up and restoring a civil society.
"... when it comes to assimilation, MAGA are the ones incapable of assimilating into US civil society, not immigrants." Brilliant! I laughed out loud when I read that!
A couple of points.
Trump has power. That is all he cares about. He craves the attention of our enemies. He is rejecting the Constitution and are NATO agreement. He changes tariffs knowing there will be no pushback from Congress. And now he is shutting down free speech.
I don't think Trump cares about polling anymore. If he did, we would see reaction to it. Instead, he is securing a massive increase in office space for ICE, allowing cuts to Medicare that will hurt those in rural areas, and continues to disappear those that look like immgrants, killing businesses that rely on these people.
Trump's strategy is to win the House by any, and I mean any, means possible. By getting states to redistrict, by claiming mail-in ballots to be rigged, which he will take to the Supreme Court, and maybe by just declaring a national emergency in 2026 in order to shutdown elections. All this because if he can keep the House, the House can reject the electoral college votes should a Democrat win the Presidential election. Frankly, I am surprised he did not declare a national emergency after Charlie Kirk's assasination.
I read what Shumer said. “We believe the American people will understand that they (the Republicans) are causing a shutdown, again, by not being [bipartisan], by not wanting to do anything on health care at all, and by Trump."
But will they believe it? And even so, does Trump care? An overwhelming campaign on social media will be critical in this fight.
Yeah, I am truly frightened by the power Trump is exercising. It allows him to ignore polls and act like a king.
I just don't see him as strong, but instead throwing a bunch of unhinged things against the wall to see what sticks before the window of opportunity that is the 2026 midterms slams shut on him and the GOP, all while ginning up requisite torture porn to show to the base, who is also a small minority of the population.
He's not strong. Trump is a bully weilding unchecked power. He loves Putin and could care less about Americans. THAT is why I am so concerned about the 2026 mid-terms.
We are all concerned. But we have power too. No one is coming to save us, we the people are forcing the issue. The only way out is through. The weaker he gets, the more desperate he gets. But he is even more dangerous if he doesn't get pushback. He is a megalomaniacal crazy man in cognitive and physical decline.
And Chris Murphy and Eric Swalwell are right on when they say we are coming for you. MAGA are cowards, many are snowflakes. The weaker Trump gets, the more pressure on the cowards to peal off to save themselves.
Stillabeliever? Then let's go kick a** !!!
Beautifully stated, Michael!
agree w this analysis. He is flailing like the 2-year old he is.
He absolutely cares about polling. He's going to take undemocratic steps to win, whether his polling is good or not. It is accelerated because his polling is so awful. But he does care about the bad polls.
If he doesn't he's even dumber than I think. The bad polls will increase the resistance to his authoritarian actions and violations of the Constitution and law.
He's going to ramp up the illiberal things because he's failing so badly and his polls are getting really awful. He will flail around like the disorganized idiot he is.
So it will get worse, but I think the resistance will get stronger on pace with it.
Hear, hear to all this! So great that Schumer is ready to fight. To those who say in response “it won’t work, Democrats are weak, we will lose and Trump will win” - what is the alternative? For Dems to do nothing (again)? Yes, we might lose (and get blamed for the shutdown) but we also might win but we will 100% lose if we do nothing. Schumer is imperfect but he’s all we got (in the Senate). Trump (sometimes) backs down when he meets resistance (look at the National Guard and Chicago) - he never backs down when he does not.
Our side is not the only one calling for a national divorce. MTG is calling for one as well; see https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5504117-marjorie-taylor-greene-national-divorce/ And the map of regional health alliances is another straw in the wind. A question: If the Dem states all join together for in essence a half-national health alliance and there's a pandemic, would the Dem alliance help the Republican states? And would Republicans from those states try to spread the pandemic to Dem states? I wouldn't put it past them. And how would Trump respond? Having Congress pass a federal law banning vaccines and masks?