As a former federal employee who was required to work without pay during shutdowns, I wrote during DOGE days that perhaps we retired or former employees could donate to a go fund me account. Have no idea how to fund it.
King Charles I tried this. It would up with him asking if he could wear 2 shirts so he would not be seen to be shivering on the cold day they chopped off his head.
It seems you are disregarding that we have states with our own budgets, policies, and elections, that we have courts pushing back harder and harder, that more universities are opting to say no, that we've only just begun economic boycotts, that more unions are joining pro-democracy leadership, that elections next week could shift a few minds in Congress, that shutdown impacts next weekend could shift a few minds in Congress, that we are still at the beginning of building pro-democracy media...
There are of course Trumpian and SCOTUS impacts on all those things, but as long as people and institutions don't fully capitulate, we do not have an all-caps total dictator. The shift from democracy to autocracy or back again is not a light switch - on/off - it's a process - WHICH WE CAN IMPACT. How is it useful to this community to make your all caps announcement?
Yes. Trump is trying to get a win out of this shutdown—forcing the Democrats to be compliant like the Republicans. But even though he seems to be able to access a small amount of funds, he still needs a budget.
Hey--can I suggest reading Simon's post all the way down? Hopium is hope with the plan --and filled with people doing the work, day in and day out. It also resists doomerism, which is anti-hope. Highly recommend sticking around and reading the comment section to get a flavor of the conversation; it's helped me a lot.
Just to be clear, it's not a question of optimism or pessimism to me. The choice is persistence versus giving in. I choose persistence. Hopium is about creative, skillful, relentless persistence.
You wrote "the people must act." Hopium folks are acting. Feel free to write about what you are doing, what questions you have... Hopium is good place for ideas, coaching, and encouragement.
Right you are! So why don’t democratic reps show up in the House every day and start passing bills? Fuck Johnson, show that asshat and the rest of them a little work ethic.
Of course not. But act like a shadow legislature. Show you are on the job ready to negotiate, show what you will do when you return to the majority. Look, trump and maga are breaking the law every day, it gets attention but Congress is supine. Then show a spine!
My Dem rep from LA IS in Washington but she can't pass a bill by herself. Nor can she demand minutes on TV without the press deciding whatever she's saying is worth the air time. However, she can do a lot of strategizing with other Dems there, which is also good.
the republicans can end the shutdown tomorrow. dems don't have to do a thing. the r's control the government. they want enough dems to go along because they know they are losing some r's. don't take the bait, is my feeling.....
There are many ways that the shutdown will be getting worse. One not mentioned in the Politico article is rent assistance. Renters who receive rent assistance will soon learn that their November assistance may be available fully or partly, but that's it. Property owners who have a number of residents with rent assistance will be having conversations with their lenders about the dramatic drop in income potentially requiring work-out discussions on mortgage payments.
I saw the future today - both Mamdami and Newsom sent out appeals with ten days to go in the campaign that did not ask for money. They need canvassers and phone banks. This is how we win, not by aping the R's and their war chests, but by using people power. We have been trying to beat the R's at their own game for too long. What we need is a very strong voter registration campaign in the next year. People Power!
that is precisely what the Dems under Chair Martin are doing. The statewide relational organizing here in NJ has been very strong, as Simon has been saying. I can vouch for that.
I loved that email from Gov Newsom. $38M raised in small(ish) online donations. Regardless of the outcome, it shows that is absolutely the right move to launch the initiative. People are ready to fight like hell for fairness. Instead of whining on CNN about how unfair the R's are making everything, Gov Newsom actually did something.
Busy weekend! Friday, I attended a webinar by Dr. Erica Chenoweth, part of a new monthly series they're conducting at Harvard on polarization and organizing. It was one of the best discussions on what we're doing and how we can counter Orange that I've heard all year: https://www.youtube.com/live/dqoSPLEK2Mg?si=UEmYID9u2tSeC30H
Saturday, I attended at GOTV rally for the first day of early voting here in NJ with Rep. Frank Pallone, our State Assembly Speaker, State Senator and mostly a who's who of our county Dems. Very inspirational - I went out and knocked doors for a couple hours afterward. Most responses were positive, and one person offered me water! Folks had a plan to vote and some had already voted! There is another final push GOTV rally w Rep. Pallone next Sunday, and Sen. Booker & our friend Sen. Gallego will be there! So excited!
Yesterday, I attended our statewide Moms Demand retreat. So much good advocacy energy, and we spent the afternoon door knocking, phone banking and relational organizing.
Some really good articles coming out about the value of of public protests and collective action vs. localized virtual and in-person community-based organizing.
Morning, folks. I got the first of something in my email inbox today - an email from a politician telling me to STOP sending money! Gov. Newsom says they met their goal and to stop sending money now. And thank you! I had to read it several times to make sure I wasn't missing some clever marketing technique. I'm still very open about our candidate for 2028, but he's winning points with me. Have a hopeful day!
Points for him have been going up steadily this year from a negative beginning. Leadership and smarts. I loved his calling DT's messages today "ramblings from an old man" - talk about dagger to the heart! Exactly the wording that'll make DT's head explode.
I voted TODAY for MYSELF in our municipal election - wish me luck! When I’m not door-knocking I am writing postcards for the judicial retention election in PA.
1) Calling my Reps: DO NOT CAPITULATE until budget demands on extending ACA are met. When November 1 rolls around and people see the massive jumps in their health care premiums, the pressure will build.
2) Donating to Martha's Kitchen, my local food bank.
3) After next Tuesday's election, we need strategies to meet the moment beyond what we have been doing and organizing and funding food drives will be in that mix.
Look at this email from Gavin Newsom. I've never seen anything like this before. Refreshing. Now Maryland, Virginia and Illionois are getting into the game. Newsom says the Carolinas are also in the mix. Here is a clip.
"Proposition 50. You can stop donating.
1.2 million donations, $38 million raised in online small-dollar donations in just 10 weeks. Thank you. It's unbelievable.
Now it's about executing the plan. If we can do that, we're going to win.
From here on out, if you see us in your inbox it's because we have an important update to share about the Election Rigging Response Act, or because someone else desperately needs our help elsewhere.
And I will be asking for you to help others - states like Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and more are all trying to stop Republican mid-decade redistricting efforts. More on that soon."
Why doesn’t every Democratic representative and any Republican representative that’s willing show up for work in the House every day. First order of business: swear in Grijalva and pass the discharge petition to release the Epstein files. Then dock the pay of every rep who Doesn’t show up for work. If we can’t pay federal workers who show up for work every day without pay, we can’t pay them. Illegal you say? Who cares, rule of law is so over in the country. In any case, the optics for an opposition party to make a statement will show the electorate what can be done and who is causing the problem.
More than that. Act like an opposition party, shame the republicans. Show the electorate what the democrats stand for. Maybe a stunt but it will get attention.
Anyone looking to help land NJ for Mikie Sherrill there’s a strong push to phone bank to harvest ballots. Easy - these are overwhelmingly friendly voters who have yet to return their vote by mail ballots.
When people in Iowa say that they vote "in every election, but" decline to say for whom they voted last November, I suspect that they voted for Trump. (I could be wrong, it's a very red place & maybe Dem voters don't want to antagonize their neighbors, but I bet they voted for Trump.) This is an important first step. People being unwilling to admit they voted for Trump is going to happen before they start saying they'll vote Dem this time or that they regret the vote for Trump. I think this is a sign of hope.
I contacted Senator Schumer and Leader Jeffries to ask them to stand strong. I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to thank them for what they've been doing and to urge state and federal criminal referrals. Yesterday, I mailed my 500 postcards to Virginia voters.
Query: I live in Montgomery County, MD, where I thought that a resolution of condemnation had been proposed. Can someone please tell me who I need to call to encourage this idea? Many thanks!
I agree with your interpretation of Iowans refusing to say who they voted for. I also have a really strong suspicion that voters who are now embarrassed to admit they put this madman back in office will be taking out their frustration on any other republican on any other ballot. I imagine they'd have no problem saying they don't like Joni Ernst, for example.
Made my calls to Washington offices, taking a miment to thank the operator if I get a real person. Always appreciated, I can tell. I also want to share a couple of newish resources that are helping me stay balanced these days:
You do know that our MALEviolent leader is doing his master Putin's bidding , do you not?
We must respond accordingly.
we are, that's why we're here.
As a former federal employee who was required to work without pay during shutdowns, I wrote during DOGE days that perhaps we retired or former employees could donate to a go fund me account. Have no idea how to fund it.
I too would like to know of a reputable fund to help out here.
I would also like to help.
Former Fed here as well. I recall a number of colleagues, particularly newer employees and those in the lower pay grades, who were living paycheck to paycheck. This article links to a google doc which is a crowdsourced group of orgs that might help. https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/10/federal-employees-crowdsource-resources-support-each-other-during-shutdown/408670/
OUR "PARLIAMENT" IS EFFECTIVELY DISBANDED
WE NOW HAVE AN EFFECTIVELY TOTAL DICTATOR
King Charles I tried this. It would up with him asking if he could wear 2 shirts so he would not be seen to be shivering on the cold day they chopped off his head.
He wouldn’t need two shirts
He has a thick adipose shirt built in
Haha
It seems you are disregarding that we have states with our own budgets, policies, and elections, that we have courts pushing back harder and harder, that more universities are opting to say no, that we've only just begun economic boycotts, that more unions are joining pro-democracy leadership, that elections next week could shift a few minds in Congress, that shutdown impacts next weekend could shift a few minds in Congress, that we are still at the beginning of building pro-democracy media...
There are of course Trumpian and SCOTUS impacts on all those things, but as long as people and institutions don't fully capitulate, we do not have an all-caps total dictator. The shift from democracy to autocracy or back again is not a light switch - on/off - it's a process - WHICH WE CAN IMPACT. How is it useful to this community to make your all caps announcement?
Please watch this interview, Krugman with Chenoweth: https://substack.com/home/post/p-177055120
Yes. Trump is trying to get a win out of this shutdown—forcing the Democrats to be compliant like the Republicans. But even though he seems to be able to access a small amount of funds, he still needs a budget.
Yet he acts randomly, and the courts are powerless
Congress is lame, does whatever he wants' Even red states follow his commands about gerrymandering
THE PEOPLE MUST ACT
I HOPE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WILL JOIN TH REISTANCE
i ADMIRE YOUR OPTIMISM
Hey--can I suggest reading Simon's post all the way down? Hopium is hope with the plan --and filled with people doing the work, day in and day out. It also resists doomerism, which is anti-hope. Highly recommend sticking around and reading the comment section to get a flavor of the conversation; it's helped me a lot.
Just to be clear, it's not a question of optimism or pessimism to me. The choice is persistence versus giving in. I choose persistence. Hopium is about creative, skillful, relentless persistence.
You wrote "the people must act." Hopium folks are acting. Feel free to write about what you are doing, what questions you have... Hopium is good place for ideas, coaching, and encouragement.
yes, what Anne and Rachel say. You seem ill-informed of the details of what's happening. Information is your friend
OK I'll mend my ways
Wish I could “super like” this comment
yes, we also have almost 50 50 in the house. I know nothing of what the mechanism would be to re-open without Mikey calling everyone back
Right you are! So why don’t democratic reps show up in the House every day and start passing bills? Fuck Johnson, show that asshat and the rest of them a little work ethic.
What do you mean by "passing bills"? There aren't enough Dems to pass bills.
EXACTLY,
Of course not. But act like a shadow legislature. Show you are on the job ready to negotiate, show what you will do when you return to the majority. Look, trump and maga are breaking the law every day, it gets attention but Congress is supine. Then show a spine!
IMPOSSIBLE, CHECK BEFORE SUGGESTING ANYTHING
Okay, how about writing without all caps? Just a suggestion.
The House is not in session. please become more informed if you plan to post here
My Dem rep from LA IS in Washington but she can't pass a bill by herself. Nor can she demand minutes on TV without the press deciding whatever she's saying is worth the air time. However, she can do a lot of strategizing with other Dems there, which is also good.
Well this sucks -AFGE union calling on Dems to end shutdown - historically huge democratic backers
the republicans can end the shutdown tomorrow. dems don't have to do a thing. the r's control the government. they want enough dems to go along because they know they are losing some r's. don't take the bait, is my feeling.....
There are many ways that the shutdown will be getting worse. One not mentioned in the Politico article is rent assistance. Renters who receive rent assistance will soon learn that their November assistance may be available fully or partly, but that's it. Property owners who have a number of residents with rent assistance will be having conversations with their lenders about the dramatic drop in income potentially requiring work-out discussions on mortgage payments.
I saw the future today - both Mamdami and Newsom sent out appeals with ten days to go in the campaign that did not ask for money. They need canvassers and phone banks. This is how we win, not by aping the R's and their war chests, but by using people power. We have been trying to beat the R's at their own game for too long. What we need is a very strong voter registration campaign in the next year. People Power!
Luke - I also got Gov. Newsom's email to stop sending money. Very, very unusual!
that is precisely what the Dems under Chair Martin are doing. The statewide relational organizing here in NJ has been very strong, as Simon has been saying. I can vouch for that.
It totally depends on GRASSROOTS ENTHUSIASM
Which means new energetic candidates with new ideas
Not the SAME OLD, SAME OLD
Not Schumer who doesn’t even want to endorse Mamdani
are you trying to derail the work here with your all caps emoting?
Good for Schumer.
I loved that email from Gov Newsom. $38M raised in small(ish) online donations. Regardless of the outcome, it shows that is absolutely the right move to launch the initiative. People are ready to fight like hell for fairness. Instead of whining on CNN about how unfair the R's are making everything, Gov Newsom actually did something.
I loved Newsom's 'nix on donation requests' email. And told him (them) so. Yes, people power!
Hi all -
Busy weekend! Friday, I attended a webinar by Dr. Erica Chenoweth, part of a new monthly series they're conducting at Harvard on polarization and organizing. It was one of the best discussions on what we're doing and how we can counter Orange that I've heard all year: https://www.youtube.com/live/dqoSPLEK2Mg?si=UEmYID9u2tSeC30H
Here's the signup for next month: https://ash.harvard.edu/events/people-power-change-marshall-ganz-in-conversation-with-erica-chenoweth/
Saturday, I attended at GOTV rally for the first day of early voting here in NJ with Rep. Frank Pallone, our State Assembly Speaker, State Senator and mostly a who's who of our county Dems. Very inspirational - I went out and knocked doors for a couple hours afterward. Most responses were positive, and one person offered me water! Folks had a plan to vote and some had already voted! There is another final push GOTV rally w Rep. Pallone next Sunday, and Sen. Booker & our friend Sen. Gallego will be there! So excited!
Yesterday, I attended our statewide Moms Demand retreat. So much good advocacy energy, and we spent the afternoon door knocking, phone banking and relational organizing.
Some really good articles coming out about the value of of public protests and collective action vs. localized virtual and in-person community-based organizing.
From the Philly Inquirer (sorry, out of gift links for the month): https://www.inquirer.com/news/ice-protests-frog-costumes-immigration-20251027.html
From Boston Globe (don't have an account, but if you upload to Instapaper or similar you can read it in full): https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/22/opinion/democrats-no-kings-protest/
Our No Kings planning team is doing a recap meeting this evening to plan next steps and GOTV for next Tuesday.
That's it - keep going!
I just wanted to say - wow. This is an incredible amount of energy, time, commitment - thank you!
LOL thanks - I will rest when the returns come in and the race is called for Mikie!
Vote in any election in your district.. future starts now
Morning, folks. I got the first of something in my email inbox today - an email from a politician telling me to STOP sending money! Gov. Newsom says they met their goal and to stop sending money now. And thank you! I had to read it several times to make sure I wasn't missing some clever marketing technique. I'm still very open about our candidate for 2028, but he's winning points with me. Have a hopeful day!
Points for him have been going up steadily this year from a negative beginning. Leadership and smarts. I loved his calling DT's messages today "ramblings from an old man" - talk about dagger to the heart! Exactly the wording that'll make DT's head explode.
I am another retired fed who would like to help current feds. Giving to my local food bank.
I voted TODAY for MYSELF in our municipal election - wish me luck! When I’m not door-knocking I am writing postcards for the judicial retention election in PA.
You don’t need luck— you have passion and drive!
Sending out my heartfelt petition to Powers-That-Be......
So mote it be!
so say we all
1) Calling my Reps: DO NOT CAPITULATE until budget demands on extending ACA are met. When November 1 rolls around and people see the massive jumps in their health care premiums, the pressure will build.
2) Donating to Martha's Kitchen, my local food bank.
3) After next Tuesday's election, we need strategies to meet the moment beyond what we have been doing and organizing and funding food drives will be in that mix.
Look at this email from Gavin Newsom. I've never seen anything like this before. Refreshing. Now Maryland, Virginia and Illionois are getting into the game. Newsom says the Carolinas are also in the mix. Here is a clip.
"Proposition 50. You can stop donating.
1.2 million donations, $38 million raised in online small-dollar donations in just 10 weeks. Thank you. It's unbelievable.
Now it's about executing the plan. If we can do that, we're going to win.
From here on out, if you see us in your inbox it's because we have an important update to share about the Election Rigging Response Act, or because someone else desperately needs our help elsewhere.
And I will be asking for you to help others - states like Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and more are all trying to stop Republican mid-decade redistricting efforts. More on that soon."
It's time to buckle up... and buckle down.
Why doesn’t every Democratic representative and any Republican representative that’s willing show up for work in the House every day. First order of business: swear in Grijalva and pass the discharge petition to release the Epstein files. Then dock the pay of every rep who Doesn’t show up for work. If we can’t pay federal workers who show up for work every day without pay, we can’t pay them. Illegal you say? Who cares, rule of law is so over in the country. In any case, the optics for an opposition party to make a statement will show the electorate what can be done and who is causing the problem.
Are you proposing turning our members of Congress into hourly workers? I like it!
Punch a time clock for the hours spent voting, doing committee work and meeting with constituents.
Meetings with big donors? Do it on your own time!
More than that. Act like an opposition party, shame the republicans. Show the electorate what the democrats stand for. Maybe a stunt but it will get attention.
Why don't they? - as I noted above, information is your friend,
Anyone looking to help land NJ for Mikie Sherrill there’s a strong push to phone bank to harvest ballots. Easy - these are overwhelmingly friendly voters who have yet to return their vote by mail ballots.
Go to mikiesherrill.com for information.
Thank you!!!
Simon, thanks for the good news on polls!
When people in Iowa say that they vote "in every election, but" decline to say for whom they voted last November, I suspect that they voted for Trump. (I could be wrong, it's a very red place & maybe Dem voters don't want to antagonize their neighbors, but I bet they voted for Trump.) This is an important first step. People being unwilling to admit they voted for Trump is going to happen before they start saying they'll vote Dem this time or that they regret the vote for Trump. I think this is a sign of hope.
I contacted Senator Schumer and Leader Jeffries to ask them to stand strong. I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to thank them for what they've been doing and to urge state and federal criminal referrals. Yesterday, I mailed my 500 postcards to Virginia voters.
Query: I live in Montgomery County, MD, where I thought that a resolution of condemnation had been proposed. Can someone please tell me who I need to call to encourage this idea? Many thanks!
I agree with your interpretation of Iowans refusing to say who they voted for. I also have a really strong suspicion that voters who are now embarrassed to admit they put this madman back in office will be taking out their frustration on any other republican on any other ballot. I imagine they'd have no problem saying they don't like Joni Ernst, for example.
Made my calls to Washington offices, taking a miment to thank the operator if I get a real person. Always appreciated, I can tell. I also want to share a couple of newish resources that are helping me stay balanced these days:
1. Democratic Wins Media https://substack.com/@demwinsmedia?
2. Stay Human, Stay Strategic, Shape Tomorrow https://open.substack.com/pub/paultshattuck/p/tiny-moves-big-shift-how-to-stay?r=7vxhp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
dem wins media is great!