Simon, thank you for the good information. It's a gorgeous day here in the DMV; maybe Spring is really, finally here.
I worry a lot about the problem with fertilizer. Anyone who can start a home vegetable garden, even just some radishes and a tomato plant or two, should probably plan to do so. The problem could go beyond high prices to actual availability.
I'm writing postcards asking Virginia voters to vote YES on redistricting.
Thanks for the great information and analysis. I feel like I'm at the mall standing in front of the sign that says ⭐️you are here, but someone erased all the halls and labels and replaced them with crazy overlapping squiggly lines.
I think I'll stay home, spend less in the gas and product buying lines, and enjoy the emerging spring.
YES! to No Kings next Saturday! There's one almost everywhere, so I hope all Hopium members, who work so hard and believe so fervently in our democracy, will show up at an event near them. This is one place where everyone can see how much opposition there is to all the illegality of the Trump administration. We can read polls; we can write postcards and make phone calls; we can cast secret ballots in the voting booth. And we should keep doing all those things. But few of them get huge attention and media coverage. No Kings is a prime opportunity to show ourselves, each other, our fellow Americans, our elected representatives, the world that there is a rising tide that says, "Hell, no!" We don't have to wait for November.
Montana's Transparent Election Initiative (TEI) has received official petition sheets from the Montana Secretary of State for Initiative I-194, the statutory version of “The Montana Plan,” allowing the campaign to begin collecting signatures to place the initiative on the November 3 ballot. The TEI is a comprehensive legal strategy to challenge the status quo and empower state laws to regulate corporate spending in elections.
Twenty-three other states are exploring the possibility of similar efforts.
A coalition of corporate & industry groups has filed a lawsuit with the Montana Supreme Court seeking to block the measure from reaching the ballot. The lawsuit asks the Court to intervene before Montanans have the opportunity to collect signatures and place the question before voters: whether corporations and other artificial entities should be allowed to spend money influencing elections.
What about all our elected leaders? I know there are good decent people in both parties. It’s a shame we have to wait for the midterms. Hopefully, we will have fair elections.
Sorry Sheila, that's a false equivalence. GOP holds all the power; House, Senate, Presidency, and most of a corrupted Supreme Court. Dems aren't perfect... far from it, but we are here because people were fooled by Trump, voted him back in, and the GOP has stood in lockstep through ALL of the Lawlessness and Shredding of Constitutional order.
Sheila am sure you’ve noticed we’ve voted down a DHS authorization now 5 times in the Senate; brought war powers to both chambers that we voted down; and yesterday Rep Smith said Dems would be a no on additional funding. The two parties are not the same and I would like you to take this post down.
I guess we cannot express, or share how we feel about our elected leaders. I’m a Democrat and I’m proud of it. I’m just expressing some doubts that I have. Is that wrong? If so, I won’t share on your substack anymore. I’ve enjoyed the fact that we can share our thoughts. I guess we have to have the “right” ones. Don’t worry. I won’t share anymore.
I’m not a super active member but I’ve been around to know that we’re careful about pushing negative sentiment out in the world because it’s demoralizing.
We all wish our party leaders were more successful in thwarting his agenda. Instead of expressing that negative emotion, which can be cathartic, we try to focus on what we’re doing to fix the problem.
If you have Dem leaders, let em know what you expect of them every day.
Hi Mike, I have gone to my representative’s office. It’s hard in Florida. I have asked for that person to do the right thing about Trump. I won’t get into the details. I’m just going to stop sharing on Simon’s substack page.
we report on what we're doing and constructive things, we don't dump negative emotions into the comments to upset ppl. report on what you are doing to move things forward, will listen and be supportive
Sheila, I don't think Simon or any of us has ever said we cannot express our doubts. Your message did not express doubts to me. You wrote: "What about all our elected leaders? Why are they allowing this to happen? Greed and power has taken over in both parties." Those did not hit me as doubts; they hit me as generalized condemnations. ALL our elected leaders? ALLOWING it happen? Greed and power has taken over BOTH parties? I don't know where you are, but my senators (Warren and Markey) do not fall into those generalized condemnations. There are many others like them. My rep is not the right person for this fight, but even he is in it for the right reasons I think; just not with the right skills.
Your sentences made the Dems and GOP equally guilty. Do you see that? That's what Simon and others, including me, are responding to.
We all push for more from our elected officials. But to say Dems are allowing this to happen (as opposed to not having enough of them in office) - do you have evidence of that, or is it venting? As far as I understand things, that's just not accurate and it's a statement MAGA would make. Simon keeps coaching us: don't spread MAGA claims, and don't vent on each other and drag each other down. (coaching that's well worth sharing)
Or, maybe you had a non-venting purpose for your comments that I missed?
Now that I've read your edited comment, I'll add I hope we don't have to wait for the midterms and that's what some of our actions are focused on -- boycotting Citizens Bank, pressure on Rs in Congress so more retire or start voting better, pressure via hearings on Rs in Cabinet so more make fools of themselves and are fired/quit/repel voters, postcards to VA to help with the redistricting fight... I can't do much about, but I'm grateful the state AGs, the state level Sec of States, Mark Elias, and so many thousands of others down to poll workers are working to protect elections. And we have actions via parties and campaigns (especially the ones Simon has identified and made it so easy) to support the rout that we need when we get to the midterms.
Keeping T out of my brain as much as possible is a discipline; it's hard, but it's worth it. I hope you can keep him out of your brain.
Simon, I think it’s great that we are accomplishing these important goals. Especially the vote to not fund ICE. I pray that we can keep achieving these goals. I’m a Democrat. I want to see Trump and his regime behind bars. I’m sorry that it bothers you when I express my doubts. I think it’s important that people know their elected officials. How they voted on things like impeachment and see who they take donations from. This is why I expressed my doubts. I’m sorry if you feel that’s wrong!!
I like to suggest, if you have doubts, or wish to express anger about Democrats, the best place to do that is calling your Representative and Senators. It puts it in the lap of the people who actually have the power to change the equation.
and there are alot of good ones out there. too. Where would Epstein Files be without Ro Khanna and Robert Garcia? Chris Murphy has done great work on beginning to enact sensible gun laws. The list is far lengthier than that.
Democrats are a mixed bag, but my sense is they are getting better and stronger and a new generation of leaders is moving in. With the GOP, it's 100% corruption, fecklessness, and lawlessness, with the exception of Thomas Massie. There are less than a handful of other GOPs at the margins on just a couple of issues.
That's what I mean by false equivalence. There is no reasonable comparison that both parties suck.
Simon, please add Jo Mendoza to your list of critical Democratic candidates for us to support. We in AZ 06 need to rid ourselves of Juan Ciscomani who is a rubber stamp for the regime.
Thanks for the steadiness in your voice, Simon. I’m out of the country and fear some sort of reprisal from Iran… we are living in Trump hell. I’m so proud of the Americans who are fighting like hell. Just saw a post from my senator Elizabeth Warren who is fighting like hell. And Jim McGovern. And so many others. Read Contrarian today, y’all. It’s great about all the court cases and good trouble the AGs are up to. Thanks everyone for working so hard!!
It's important to understand the Techno-fascist goal. These are misfits trying to fill a black hole of incoherence and incompetence with ego demands. They are emotionally bereft, from poor parenting. They have amassed wealth and power as their retribution to the world that didn't allow them to thrive as normal human beings. Their goal is to destroy that world, plain and simple; it gives them satisfaction. They fantasize that they can insulate themselves from accountability. We have to stand them up, take it back. Otherwise there is no end to the destruction that will eventually engulf even them.
Americans who haven’t been abroad don’t realize that gas prices here are still dirt cheap. I’ve quipped that with gas now at perhaps $3.79, Americans ought to think of it as them getting a $3-discount on German gas prices.
This administration is just full of insane people. I had never heard of Gregg Phillips before today. He is a top official in FEMA, and has been telling people about how he teleported 50 miles away to a Waffle House. I know that sounds like The Onion.
On the other hand, he doesn't need a private jet to do his job, and I'm looking forward to him doing wonders with logistics in disaster relief.
He also warned people of the dangers of teleportation. It's "no fun" (direct quote). Here is the full quote:
“Teleporting is no fun,” he said “You know it’s happening, but you can’t do anything about it, and so you just go, you just go with the ride. And wow, what just an incredible adventure it all was.”
He needs serious help but at least should not be allowed to drive. The first time he "teleported" his car was in a ditch.
Trump, Vance, Miller, Hegseth, Patel and Bondi MUST be removed from their offices before their "cultish" decision making creates "The Great Depression of 2026"! When expenditures exceed reserves, said leaders have to be replaced--before the sword of Damocles falls on all of us.
Sorry Simon. I have not been available, but I will be by Monday. I'll be making calls, etc..And, I truly hope that there will be no injuries or death's of Our Brave Men and Women that are being sent to IRAN! FUCK TRUMP and HIS SICK MIND and MADE-UP WAR!!!
Simon, thank you for the good information. It's a gorgeous day here in the DMV; maybe Spring is really, finally here.
I worry a lot about the problem with fertilizer. Anyone who can start a home vegetable garden, even just some radishes and a tomato plant or two, should probably plan to do so. The problem could go beyond high prices to actual availability.
I'm writing postcards asking Virginia voters to vote YES on redistricting.
I have two community garden plots this year for that very reason.
Thanks for the great information and analysis. I feel like I'm at the mall standing in front of the sign that says ⭐️you are here, but someone erased all the halls and labels and replaced them with crazy overlapping squiggly lines.
I think I'll stay home, spend less in the gas and product buying lines, and enjoy the emerging spring.
Also can protest at a No Kings rally near you on March 28.
YES! to No Kings next Saturday! There's one almost everywhere, so I hope all Hopium members, who work so hard and believe so fervently in our democracy, will show up at an event near them. This is one place where everyone can see how much opposition there is to all the illegality of the Trump administration. We can read polls; we can write postcards and make phone calls; we can cast secret ballots in the voting booth. And we should keep doing all those things. But few of them get huge attention and media coverage. No Kings is a prime opportunity to show ourselves, each other, our fellow Americans, our elected representatives, the world that there is a rising tide that says, "Hell, no!" We don't have to wait for November.
Thank you Cory Booker. More of this, please. STOP the WAR. Pass the War Powers Resolution. Stand up for the Constitution.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5IdrCRe3dk
That was great! Thx for sharing - and more of this, please!
Wow! So glad I watched Senator Booker give voice to my frustration and resolve. What an inspiration!
One of Sen. Booker's most powerful and important addresses to the Senate.
Montana's Transparent Election Initiative (TEI) has received official petition sheets from the Montana Secretary of State for Initiative I-194, the statutory version of “The Montana Plan,” allowing the campaign to begin collecting signatures to place the initiative on the November 3 ballot. The TEI is a comprehensive legal strategy to challenge the status quo and empower state laws to regulate corporate spending in elections.
Twenty-three other states are exploring the possibility of similar efforts.
https://transparentelection.org/montana
A coalition of corporate & industry groups has filed a lawsuit with the Montana Supreme Court seeking to block the measure from reaching the ballot. The lawsuit asks the Court to intervene before Montanans have the opportunity to collect signatures and place the question before voters: whether corporations and other artificial entities should be allowed to spend money influencing elections.
https://disruptdarkmoney.feather.blog/corporate-interests-file-lawsuit-to-block-montanans-from-collecting-signatures-on-the-montana-plan
What about all our elected leaders? I know there are good decent people in both parties. It’s a shame we have to wait for the midterms. Hopefully, we will have fair elections.
Sorry Sheila, that's a false equivalence. GOP holds all the power; House, Senate, Presidency, and most of a corrupted Supreme Court. Dems aren't perfect... far from it, but we are here because people were fooled by Trump, voted him back in, and the GOP has stood in lockstep through ALL of the Lawlessness and Shredding of Constitutional order.
I hope you’re right!!!
Didn't you know, Michael, everything that goes wrong in the world is caused by elected dems. For example, they invaded Ukraine.
Sheila am sure you’ve noticed we’ve voted down a DHS authorization now 5 times in the Senate; brought war powers to both chambers that we voted down; and yesterday Rep Smith said Dems would be a no on additional funding. The two parties are not the same and I would like you to take this post down.
I guess we cannot express, or share how we feel about our elected leaders. I’m a Democrat and I’m proud of it. I’m just expressing some doubts that I have. Is that wrong? If so, I won’t share on your substack anymore. I’ve enjoyed the fact that we can share our thoughts. I guess we have to have the “right” ones. Don’t worry. I won’t share anymore.
I’m not a super active member but I’ve been around to know that we’re careful about pushing negative sentiment out in the world because it’s demoralizing.
We all wish our party leaders were more successful in thwarting his agenda. Instead of expressing that negative emotion, which can be cathartic, we try to focus on what we’re doing to fix the problem.
If you have Dem leaders, let em know what you expect of them every day.
100% Ted! TY
Hi Mike, I have gone to my representative’s office. It’s hard in Florida. I have asked for that person to do the right thing about Trump. I won’t get into the details. I’m just going to stop sharing on Simon’s substack page.
we report on what we're doing and constructive things, we don't dump negative emotions into the comments to upset ppl. report on what you are doing to move things forward, will listen and be supportive
Sheila, I don't think Simon or any of us has ever said we cannot express our doubts. Your message did not express doubts to me. You wrote: "What about all our elected leaders? Why are they allowing this to happen? Greed and power has taken over in both parties." Those did not hit me as doubts; they hit me as generalized condemnations. ALL our elected leaders? ALLOWING it happen? Greed and power has taken over BOTH parties? I don't know where you are, but my senators (Warren and Markey) do not fall into those generalized condemnations. There are many others like them. My rep is not the right person for this fight, but even he is in it for the right reasons I think; just not with the right skills.
Your sentences made the Dems and GOP equally guilty. Do you see that? That's what Simon and others, including me, are responding to.
We all push for more from our elected officials. But to say Dems are allowing this to happen (as opposed to not having enough of them in office) - do you have evidence of that, or is it venting? As far as I understand things, that's just not accurate and it's a statement MAGA would make. Simon keeps coaching us: don't spread MAGA claims, and don't vent on each other and drag each other down. (coaching that's well worth sharing)
Or, maybe you had a non-venting purpose for your comments that I missed?
Rachel you are right. I generalized and shouldn’t have. Both parties have their good people. I’m sorry. I Will fix the comment.
Now that I've read your edited comment, I'll add I hope we don't have to wait for the midterms and that's what some of our actions are focused on -- boycotting Citizens Bank, pressure on Rs in Congress so more retire or start voting better, pressure via hearings on Rs in Cabinet so more make fools of themselves and are fired/quit/repel voters, postcards to VA to help with the redistricting fight... I can't do much about, but I'm grateful the state AGs, the state level Sec of States, Mark Elias, and so many thousands of others down to poll workers are working to protect elections. And we have actions via parties and campaigns (especially the ones Simon has identified and made it so easy) to support the rout that we need when we get to the midterms.
Keeping T out of my brain as much as possible is a discipline; it's hard, but it's worth it. I hope you can keep him out of your brain.
Simon, I think it’s great that we are accomplishing these important goals. Especially the vote to not fund ICE. I pray that we can keep achieving these goals. I’m a Democrat. I want to see Trump and his regime behind bars. I’m sorry that it bothers you when I express my doubts. I think it’s important that people know their elected officials. How they voted on things like impeachment and see who they take donations from. This is why I expressed my doubts. I’m sorry if you feel that’s wrong!!
I like to suggest, if you have doubts, or wish to express anger about Democrats, the best place to do that is calling your Representative and Senators. It puts it in the lap of the people who actually have the power to change the equation.
and there are alot of good ones out there. too. Where would Epstein Files be without Ro Khanna and Robert Garcia? Chris Murphy has done great work on beginning to enact sensible gun laws. The list is far lengthier than that.
Democrats are a mixed bag, but my sense is they are getting better and stronger and a new generation of leaders is moving in. With the GOP, it's 100% corruption, fecklessness, and lawlessness, with the exception of Thomas Massie. There are less than a handful of other GOPs at the margins on just a couple of issues.
That's what I mean by false equivalence. There is no reasonable comparison that both parties suck.
Simon, please add Jo Mendoza to your list of critical Democratic candidates for us to support. We in AZ 06 need to rid ourselves of Juan Ciscomani who is a rubber stamp for the regime.
Simon and Hopium are already big supporters of Jo and have raised a lot of money for her.
Please see the link below to her recent interview if you missed it...
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/jo-mendoza-checks-in-from-the-sixth
(she is part of 'Hopium’s Winning The House Campaign' fund)
Thanks for the steadiness in your voice, Simon. I’m out of the country and fear some sort of reprisal from Iran… we are living in Trump hell. I’m so proud of the Americans who are fighting like hell. Just saw a post from my senator Elizabeth Warren who is fighting like hell. And Jim McGovern. And so many others. Read Contrarian today, y’all. It’s great about all the court cases and good trouble the AGs are up to. Thanks everyone for working so hard!!
And Republicans in Congress are letting him.
It's important to understand the Techno-fascist goal. These are misfits trying to fill a black hole of incoherence and incompetence with ego demands. They are emotionally bereft, from poor parenting. They have amassed wealth and power as their retribution to the world that didn't allow them to thrive as normal human beings. Their goal is to destroy that world, plain and simple; it gives them satisfaction. They fantasize that they can insulate themselves from accountability. We have to stand them up, take it back. Otherwise there is no end to the destruction that will eventually engulf even them.
In the world we are building, those ppl will get therapy instead of poisoning as much as they can around them/ us
I am in Europe now
Flying home on United in 9 days ( if not cancelled) and flying abroad with family in mid April!
Prices for gas are much higher here
Such a bummer to be an American in Europe now
But folks here are very nice and need our tourist $
Rather than cutting gas taxes we should be raising taxes on the billionaires to fund this madness!
And investing in clean energy
Best wishes on your travels!
Americans who haven’t been abroad don’t realize that gas prices here are still dirt cheap. I’ve quipped that with gas now at perhaps $3.79, Americans ought to think of it as them getting a $3-discount on German gas prices.
This administration is just full of insane people. I had never heard of Gregg Phillips before today. He is a top official in FEMA, and has been telling people about how he teleported 50 miles away to a Waffle House. I know that sounds like The Onion.
On the other hand, he doesn't need a private jet to do his job, and I'm looking forward to him doing wonders with logistics in disaster relief.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/20/fema-gregg-phillips-waffle-house
He also warned people of the dangers of teleportation. It's "no fun" (direct quote). Here is the full quote:
“Teleporting is no fun,” he said “You know it’s happening, but you can’t do anything about it, and so you just go, you just go with the ride. And wow, what just an incredible adventure it all was.”
He needs serious help but at least should not be allowed to drive. The first time he "teleported" his car was in a ditch.
Thanks for sharing this link. The mind boggles!
Thanks. I read so many Substacks it is impossible to remember who is supporting what. I just know we are all on the same team.
Sent to Sen Murray, Cantwell, Schumer, Rep DelBene, Jeffries:
The following is recommended for the Democrats Disaster Agenda to be implemented IMMEDIATELY:
Work To End This New Gulf War, And Trump’s Global Imperial Ambitions
Make Clear We Support Ukraine and Europe, Not Russia. Reinstate Sanctions on Russia
Roll Back The New, Illegal Tariffs
Rescind The Trump Tax Cuts, Claw Back The Extra ICE Funding.
Make The US A Clean Energy Superpower, Fight For True Energy Independence, And Lower
Energy Prices For The American People
Keep fighting To Rein In ICE, End Mass Deportation; Regulate Concentration Camps
procurement and management
End the War on Science, Health and Public Health. IMPEACH HHS KENNEDY, JR NOW!
Trump, Vance, Miller, Hegseth, Patel and Bondi MUST be removed from their offices before their "cultish" decision making creates "The Great Depression of 2026"! When expenditures exceed reserves, said leaders have to be replaced--before the sword of Damocles falls on all of us.
Sorry Simon. I have not been available, but I will be by Monday. I'll be making calls, etc..And, I truly hope that there will be no injuries or death's of Our Brave Men and Women that are being sent to IRAN! FUCK TRUMP and HIS SICK MIND and MADE-UP WAR!!!