Don’t be afraid to call or write your senators before they vote on the Kash Patel nomination, along with those of Robert Kennedy, Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard.
Unfortunately, they are different sides of the same coin. Of course republicans are worse by having no values or principles. But democrats are behaving like the abused mother who doesn’t protect her children. They seem paralyzed to take strong actions.
Not quite. Jay Kuo explains why Democrats didn't immediately act about Musk taking over the Department of Treasury. But that doesn't explain why dozens of Democratic senators have voted to confirm dangerous cabinet nominees, which has been going on for 2 weeks. I was stunned to learn that a Democratic Senator in New Jersey, Cory Booker, voted to confirm Scott Bessant for Treasury. Bessant is responsible for letting Elon Musk and his crew get access to millions of private records and likely millions of dollars in the Treasury. Not one single one of Trump's cabinet nominees should have been confirmed by any Democrats. If you look at the votes, you can see the dozens of Democratic Senators have been confirming many of these nominees
💯 No Democrats should have voted for any of these nominees. On the second subject. Every Democrat should have been in front of a camera in their hometown denouncing the actions taken by Musk on our federal agencies. That didn't happen either. A few showed up in front of the USAID building along with some protesters. This was good. Some individuals have filed suit against Musk for illegally obtaining their personal information. We shall see where that goes. I'm disappointed with the response from our Democratic leaders, especially Schumer who brings an avocado and something else to a press briefing about tariffs. WTF!!!!
@ Susan Mac Neill. Putin has you where he wants you.
There already are schisms of MAGAT House members.
1. Minority Republicans
2. Those who support Ukraine vs Putin
3. Those who oppose Musk.
More -- if they represent districts on the border that rely on Mexico and or Canada, and their local businesses are shut down because of tariff policy.
“Now, this is the type of news I love to report! It’s official, folks—the MeidasTouch Network has taken the lead over Fox in digital ratings. Fox, with its billion-dollar budget and oligarch investors, is LOSING to the MeidasTouch Network, which has NO INVESTORS and grows.”
Dr. MacNeil the largest group voters in the United Staes are neither democrats republicans nor MAGAts. The majority are not affiliated with these folks
Injured citizens, government union members, service union members you & me & everyone else are damaged by the unlawful, arbitrary, capricious conduct by the richest man in the United States ELON MUSK & the fraudulent non-entity"DOGE"
whatever that is.
Public entities not political parties are the crafters of well aimed civil actions such as the one filed today by Public Citizens Litigation Group (PCLG) & Norman L. Eisen's group State Democracy Defenders Fund (SDDF) although you may be more familiar with Mr. Eisen as a Co-founder of 'The Contrarian'.
Take a hard look at their federal complaint: 1:25-cv-00313. That's Civil Action No. 25-313 captioned A.R.A. Alliance of Retired Americans vs. Scott Bessent in his capacity as Secretary of State, the Department of Treasury et al.
Generally, it is alleged ELON MUSK & 'DOGE' has unlawfully gained access to our tax information & other private data in violation of the Privacy Act, The IRS code, SORN & other federal law such as 5 U.S.C Section 706(2)(a).
The complaint's Prayer specifically demands ELON Musk, DOGE stop from their alleged unlawful access to the governments & citizens' confidential data & records.
Of course, the prayer pleads demand for temporary, preliminary & permanent injunction to stop the ELON MUSK & Gang. Also, Plaintiffs their costs, attorney fees & other relief such as a halt to halt contumacious conduct if proved.
That's the thing about well drafted complaints in the U.S. District Court for DC, they do not go after UN-identified 'democrats' nor UN-identified 'republicans'.
This lawsuit goes after the responsible defendants: The hapless SCOTT BESSENT, the Department of Treasury & the BUREAU of the FISCAL SERVICE.
Of course. And I agree wholeheartedly. There have been many complexities that are going on at warped speed. I had just been responding also to Thom Hartman, Rick Wilson, Medhi H, Anand G, Steve S, and a few more regarding Joyce’s question, plus hundreds of those waiting for the democrats to defend us (Anand G’s term). The courts, the lawyers, the people have been showing up with their hearts, minds and powerful voices in the face of this crisis. The progressives have been trying and have been voices in the wind. It appears finally, as of this weekend more are joining and have received the message of the people. And as Joyce always says, “We’re in this together.”
Sharon, many Democrats & small "d" democrats were literally assembled out in front of USAID HQ from which they had been barred from entering. Employees digital access to the USAID platform has been blocked. Think about that. Lawmakers were barred from a government building they created by statute -- by law.
One very well known lawmaker & constitutional law professor, Jamie Raskin, said outside on the DC street: "We do not have a 4th branch of Government called Elon Musk."
I recommend a careful read of the lawsuit which is pending in DC as I text. LawSchool Day 1: Now to get any form of injunctive relief immediately or permanently you must prove "irreparable harm" with admissible evidence under the Federal Rules of Evidence.
Skip the paper legal arguments & simply review the declaration(s) under penalty of perjury by declarant(s) that must show a solid foundation for their factual statements & ... here it comes again ... ADMISSIBLE facts upon with Judge will rule on if challenged.
We built a democratic republic that is nearly 250 years old. Use it or lose it.
I understand that by reading remarks here. My entire point was you don’t insult and bully someone, you provide the information you just did. People are terrified. They need to be able to express that fear free from rude, uncalled for remarks like Janet C posted. If we don’t call it out we’re as bad as MAGA.
Anand Giridharadas of the Ink, is a profoundly wise philosopher/journalist who writes on various topics, including his frustrations with the democrats. He explores their silence and their awakening as of this weekend, through various essays and interviews.
Actually there are a shocking number of Democratic senators who have voted to confirm very dangerous and unfit cabinet nominees. Look at the list of who are the "yes" votes and you'll be unpleasantly surprised. There's only one cabinet nominee who got zero Democrat senator votes and that was Hegseth
Your statement is what I refer to as 'tea party' talk No, not that Tea Party, but the one little girls have with their dolls (or little boys have with their toy soldiers or trucks just not sure what to call it aside from toy soldier talk.) Anyway, it adds nothing to the conversation much like Democrats in their talk about writing letters and making calls. Its just a ritual.
Of course for Trump and his henchman who are either committing violence or threatening violence, it means nothing. Until those opposing him realize that violence (or its threat) may be the only way to resolve the situation we're in.
Michigan is blessed with two Democrats in the Senate, While they must do more in my opinion, our Congressman, Tom Barrett, freshman, needs to stand up and be counted. I have sent several letters to him. My latest started like this: "I, Tom Barrett, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God." I imagine you can guess the rest of my note.
Thanks. Just wrote that too. His substack was superb. And the NY FBI and others who didn’t capitulate.
Interestingly when a few - ok maybe 10 or so - years ago there was fear of many Fed Boomers retiring & taking all the institutional knowledge away, there was an uproar. Because MAGAts clearly don’t read, they know not the chaos we’re in.
No Jan is not wrong because their has been little pushback so far. Dems are just starting to speak up and out. And it is about damn time. They still need to connect the dots for people to see the danger we are in.
The problem when you respond with anything, including STOP, is the texts get more frequent because they know they have a live phone number. The best thing to do is block the number, and report as junk.
If I get a text from a Republican extremist I take great pleasure in the childish gesture of responding 'Fuck Off you Fascist' - and a couple of minutes later I get a second text saying 'You are unsubscribed'. Small pleasures.
1. Please tell us what you're doing with that money.
2. Start playing MAGA's game and line up billionaire donors; it is what it is.
3. Democrats and other democracy-minded people need to pull together the hundreds of .orgs, PACs and candidates into a coalition. Strength in numbers and one massive concerted effort.
Ok, It's possible Democrats are doing things that we are not aware of. But I know that Democratic NJ Senator Andy Kim voted to confirm Christy Noem to head DHS. And my other Dem Senator, Cory Booker voted to confirm Bessent for Treasury. It's the latter who gave Elon Musk the keys to everything
Here's what I have been doing about that. My Senators voted for Rubio (they all did), so I am calling and saying, "You thought he was someone who could be trusted, but he's showing that he is not, by ending USAID, cutting off aid to Ukraine, and appointing a white supremacist as a deputy. It shows that no one who is willing to work for Trump is an honest or good person, so don't vote for any of them." And since neither of my Senators voted for Bessent, I called and thanked them for that, saying, good job, because he turned the keys of the Treasury over to Musk, and encouraged them to keep up the good work and not vote for a single one of them.
Thanks what I told the DNCC when they requested $. Told them they wouldn’t get a single cent from me until they did something to stop the pillaging of government agencies!
I have consistently told the DNC to essentially go fuck themselves. They are increasingly useless and irrelevent. I don't care who they elect as Chair; nothing will change. I stopped supporting the party apparatus a long time ago and gave money directly to the campaigns that I felt I needed to support.
None of this stopped the DNC from sending me notices, telling me my membership has expired and I needed to renew, along with a membership card, blah blah.
They've been known to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, but this past performance just took the cake. We, as Dems, have gotten so far away from our roots as a blue collar party that we've forgotten where we came from.
1) the minority party has no powers. 2) what they do as politicians is to document what is happening by writing letters, press statements and acts such as, on video, being blocked from a federal building. These all are historical records. Until they are the majority they can do little else but strategize. I am sure behind the scenes, they are negotiating with the very few retake independents they can. Just standing up and challenging this administration is an act of courage. The possibility of imprisonment or worse is getting to be a bigger and bigger possibility. In the mean time lawyers are very busy filing lawsuits. So have some mercy and use your energy to vent your spleen on republicans. Respectfully
THIS NEEDS TO BE SAID AGAIN AND AGAIN. There is no plan the elected Democrats in congress are trying to to do it like they have done. wrong!This cannot be do either bipartisanship. I find it incredulous that Democrat senators voted for the kleptocratic trash being offered. Those that did should resign immediately.
On Wed, Feb. 5 at 10:00 am, the Raging Grannies of Madison and Dane County WI will arrive at the Madison office of Sen. Ron Johnson in full Granny glam. That includes flower-covered hats, button-covered aprons, and a few shawls. We'll tell the staffers that 1. no one voted for Elon Musk; 2. Sen. Johnson must oppose the nomination of Russell Vought to run the OMB; and 3. that he swore an oath to protect and defend the constitution, not to destroy it. We have 2 songs to sing, and we will sing them as often and as loudly as necessary to attract their attention. We are the guardrails now!
I love that!! I hope you ladies make the news.., maybe get word out to the media or have someone video your visit so it can be posted and shared..? We need LOTS of interactions like this, and fast! You’ve got me thinking, thank you!!
Thank you. He is cut from the same glossy, insubstantial cloth as all the other rich, old, white guys who view the nation as their golf course and we the people as their caddies. The Raging Grannies have had enough!
I sent an e-mail to Sen. Johnson objecting to RFK Jr. as HHS Sec'y, and asked for a reply. One part of the response seems to be an abdication of his duty as a senator in the "advise and consent" process:
"Senator Johnson also expressed his view that the number of executive positions requiring Senate confirmation is excessive, and he publicly advocated for reducing this burden to ensure all future presidents can more efficiently staff their administrations."
This is the first local action I've heard about in Madison. Just recently visited the "All the Rage" exhibit at the Ruth Davis Gallery, School of Human Ecology, on the UW-Madison campus. Should have known the Grannies would be leading the charge. I'll be there in solidarity and have alerted others.
A whole bunch of us across the nation have had serious issues getting through to our senators in their home or DC offices today, Joyce. The lines crackle with static, we get cut off in the middle of messages and I was even sent to X during one of my calls.
I really smell a rat here. Or do I watch too many doomsday flicks?
I urge everyone to download the Resistbot app. It is straightforward and clear. Phones on the hill are jammed and voicemails full. You’re given a choice of communication method and I opted for email. I was pleased to receive responses from my New Hampshire reps within a couple of hours. Much easier and more effective than phoning.
Two angry old ladies (my neighbor and I) visited the field office of one of our Democratic Senators this morning. One take-away was the staffer’s insistence on the importance of elected officials hearing from their constituents.
Wow, I called Thom Tillis today and had so much noise on the phone I couldn’t hear. I was persistent and called another number and the local office. Leave the message anyway!
Jaime Raskin, during his portion of the press conference today in front of the USAID building, specifically said that he had already received hundreds of calls from frantic and panicked constituents. People have been getting through and it may be that so many tried to call that it disrupted the phone lines.
I live in a rural part of GA and still have to go out on my porch to be on a phone call on certain days. Otherwise there is static/crackling and/or sound going in and out.
So, it doesn't seem like anyone messed with the phone lines in DC, but that it, more likely than not, was the phone system's inability to handle the sheer volume-- which is good news!
I made calls to the entire Senate Finance Committee at around 12 EST. No problem. This morning at 8 and all day the phones at DC and state offices were a mess.
That whole committee should be in front of the treasury building with cameraman and then barging in the door and demanding to know what Musk and his fools accessed in the way of information and what is going to be done. And sitting and staying there until they get their answer.
I also got crackly static, before they said the voicemails of my CA Senators Schiff and Padilla and Rep. Liccardo were full. I never heard static like that before. ???
I usually email, but someone pointed out this site to me today and I tried it. The call went through immediately, and I spoke to a live person with no crackle on the line.
Exactly. I have had static on lines in the past when calling my senators and my representative. Sometimes it happens when I’m calling my husband! This is not a conspiracy, people; it’s just high volume at work – – and that’s a good thing!
That happened to me on every call I made either to a Washington DC # or to a local number in the Senator or Reps home state. I wondered if something was going on also. Obviously something was going on.
My understanding is that two Senators, Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) & Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) have placed a U.S. Senate privileged "Hold" on Trump II's nominations.
Senator Van Hollen just confirmed his "hold" position on Jen Psaki's show tonight at 34 minutes into the "Inside with Jen Psaki" program.
The Senator made crystal clear he and his colleagues are trying to get 4 Republican votes to kill the nominations.
The Senator concedes that the "hold" will not be the only tactic to enforce the Rule of Law and/or delay what amounts to Coup 2.0.
The Senator flatly stated the the Attack on statutorily USAID agency was unlawful. I assume that means appropriate federal legal action(s). as the Senator stated he was talking to lawyer(s) all Weekend long.
I read the same thing - I hope it is true, and those nominations are not only on permanent, or at least some lengthy hold, but NOT confirmed! We don't need any more unqualified unskilled unsuited people in the government!
No wait, I meant, “change the admin passwords on the servers.”
With Rubio forcing entry to USAid with Elmo’s team in charge, and taking the website of a govt. agency offline: this is the modern-day equivalent of reichtag-burning, and Elmo and Rump know it. Ditto [x] [ treasury and invasion of payments system. Ed.]
Look at how Elmo raided twitter in the first weeks and slashed the staff, you are seeing the same childish rant bestowed on our actual government at this moment.
There are limitations. As to USAID the purported new Chief is the Chief of the State Department. The Secretary of State is not "acting" accept in his roll as a co-conspirator in "overt acts".
Jumping over to Elon Musk allegedly a "Temporary Government Employee" with a desk an an email address in the White House. Musk faces a financial disclosure deadly 60 days from today 2/3.
You guessed it. That's April Fools Day -- the day for the fool to depart
No, I don't think so. Noem's already strutting around in her ICE uniform for photo ops and suggessting that Guantanimo is the perfect setting to house all of the deported immigrants. Rubio is making terrible decisions. So if they were confirmed, then they're already in place doing the damage.
Lori, Musk "status" requires that he record his hours "worked". You can do the Math; Number of Days x 24/per hour. So Musk has likely exhausted his short Rope.
Today I called every R on the Finance committee objecting to Musk's takeover of the Treasury Department and OMB. Here are there numbers:
Tel nos. For R senators on Finance Committee. They all start w 1-202-224. Crapo 6142, wyden5244, Grassley 3744, Cronyn 2934, Thule 2321, Scott 6121, Cassidy 5824, Langford 5754, Diane 2651, Young 5623, Barrasso 6441, Johnson 5323, Tillis 6342, Blackburn 3344, Marshall 4774. Connection issues (are we hacked?) but persist, you can leave message. Wrote to Schumer (again!) and my husband and I are going in person to Coons’ satellite office here in Dover. Boots on the ground. We are trying, but don't have much power.
I'm sorry if I posted this set of calling directions on this site before but just in case I didn't, here is a list of calling directions I got from my local FB group called Pacifica Resist. Here it is. Pass it on:
According to a post on my local FB group, Pacifica Resist, calls are much more effective than petitions or emails. Here are the details. Please pass them on:
Switchboard for both Senate and House: 202-224-2131
So, when you call:
A) When calling the DC office, ask for the Staff member in charge of whatever you're calling about ("Hi, I'd like to speak with the staffer in charge of Healthcare, please") — local offices won't always have specific ones, but they might. If you get transferred to that person, awesome. If you don't, that's ok — ask for that person's name, and then just keep talking to whoever answered the phone. Don't leave a message (unless the office doesn't pick up at all — then you can — but it's better to talk to the staffer who first answered than leave a message for the specific staffer in charge of your topic).
B) Give them your zip code. They won't always ask for it, but make sure you give it to them, so they can mark it down. Extra points if you live in a zip code that traditionally votes for them, since they'll want to make sure they get/keep your vote.
C) If you can make it personal, make it personal. "I voted for you in the last election and I'm worried/happy/whatever" or "I'm a teacher, and I am appalled by Betsy DeVos," or "as a single mother" or "as a white, middle class woman," or whatever.
D) Pick 1-2 specific things per day to focus on. Don't rattle off everything you're concerned about — they're figuring out what 1-2 topics to mark you down for on their lists. So, focus on 1-2 per day. Ideally something that will be voted on/taken up in the next few days, but it doesn't really matter — even if there's not a vote coming up in the next week, call anyway. It's important that they just keep getting calls.
E) Be clear on what you want — "I'm disappointed that the Senator..." or "I want to thank the Senator for their vote on... " or "I want the Senator to know that voting in _____ way is the wrong decision for our state because... " Don't leave any ambiguity.
F) They may get to know your voice/get sick of you — it doesn't matter. The people answering the phones generally turn over every 6 weeks anyway, so even if they're really sick of you, they'll be gone in 6 weeks.
From experience since the election: If you hate being on the phone & feel awkward (which is a lot of people) don't worry about it — there are a bunch of scripts (Indivisible has some, there are lots of others floating around these day). After a few days of calling, it starts to feel a lot more natural.
Put the 6 numbers in your phone (all under P – Politician.) An example is McCaskill MO, Politician McCaskill DC, Politician Blunt MO, etc., which makes it really easy to click down the list each day.
Who do we sue when our social security checks don't go out? Or if they just re-direct the funds to DonOlds account? Many people count on receiving those checks every month and likely die without them.
Musk was/is a criminal, doing illegal things, asking for security codes, locking out the real employees of USAID and grinning into every camera that was around. And Ms Leavitt should just shut up and not lie every time she says something.
I have a better idea. We need a quarter million armed Americans to march on Washington and take back our government. The 2nd American Revolution needs to start now.
When we reach a government office building entrance, and see it "guarded" by a gang of "2A" spouting reactionaries sporting arms, led by pardoned J6 insurrectionists, --
-- do we "shoot back" with finger pistols
-- run away in terror
-- ask them politely to return our government
-- realize, finally, that once again, we Dems brought knives to a gunfight?
Suggested by Indivisible: Calls are the most effective outreach. One topic per call. Ask for a written response, especially if you request a specific action, such as "Vote No." Be sure to thank the senator and staff for their work if that is warranted. Stay polite. It helps the office keep track of calls if you give your name and zip code. They won't know what you think if you don't tell them.
Sabrina, how will your Members of Congress know you care about the coup if you don't tell them?
My experience over the years is that they do listen, whether I talk to a staffer or voicemail. I usually get a written response. Unfortunately, not all senators are as responsive and responsible as Oregon's. But if you don't call, they can always say they didn't hear from constituents. Why not give it a try?
All right, then they will have their IT/AI guy develop standard response routines for just your situation. Whee!
Soon enough, you will learn who is responsive and who is f*cking with you and your vote without these games.
Electronic paperwork games will get you nowhere.
BTW, the GOP Senator who pretends to always worry about the big factors in appointments, Susan Collins, just announced she would vote FOR Tulsi Gabbard. Who's surprised? Do you think any hard-headed Mainers held their breaths? Then again, they do keep electing her. Maybe they're all reading Susan's written responses.
At least, F-Elon won't have to steal our national security; Tulsi will give it away.
You should also make friends with the staffer who deals with the issue you are concerned about. This is very important to try to do, develop rapport. Every lobbyist knows this.
You're kidding?!! 10,000 asskissing or intransigent constituents are going to get past receptionists?? -- you certainly will not be given any "direct" lines to the staff.
My wife was a staffer to a leading congresswoman for a quarter-century; after a few months she could smell the AKers on the phone as it was ringing.
We (I was a community activist in parallel issues) knew who had information and leadership and those who were ardent but clueless. Occasionally we encountered an activist with expert knowledge and connected him with an appropriate office. No, actually, that was maybe once. He knew some people deep inside Burma....
All MCs (state legislators, too) that we knew of over 50 years had a standard technique when an issue got "hot": their office directors had staff tally incoming calls, messages, visitors: pro vs con, personally-written/spoken opinions or form-letters (and #s of each). Occasionally, extra staff (read: usually interns) were added to handle the phone load.
Some office staff were identified as (my term) Especially Empathetic who would meet with groups who dropped in, discern their issue and which side they were on, then ooze empathy until their cups were full. Another time (while in planning the 1984 Demo Natl Convention) we met a guy whose job was to stand by his boss's side and mutter the name and key facts of each person approaching her! (The guy seemed to be a functioning alcoholic, too.) I did that once in 1990 when I ran a Census office and surprisingly rattled off 50+ names/titles of community leaders so my boss could greet them. This was not hard, got it perfect...but I never tried it twice!).
Legislators are not alone in using these techniques. I once met a very friendly and agreeable, nationally-known author: he was a vet who was in the Vietnam war. He gave me his private phone #. After months of calling, I realized he used this just as a decoy line! He and I had a mutual friend, an international movie star who introduced us, so I was not entirely a nobody. Sometimes the connection works, other times, not.
Norm, you seem to have a lot of experience in contacting members of Congress. You’ve clearly identified some tactics that DON’T work. Can you suggest some that you have found DO work?
I’ve been calling our MN Senators and my Rep every day. I would like to see them taking more leadership. I’ve asked they block all nominees every time I call.
Who are the Republican Senators we should be contacting, that’s my next task.
Me too, Jennifer! Hope they are getting a ton of calls. Also called Ellison to ask if the AGs can do anything to stop what is happening at Treasury. Got a person there, who said they are getting a lot of calls.
Calls are tracked so am calling daily to tell my (republican) senators different portions of the following:
I am an elderly senior and a widow who’s appalled at the direction that trump administration is taking the country. First time in life ashamed to say am an American cutizen.
Trump’s candidates are dangerously inexperienced, and his policies against minorities are inhumane and completely unfounded
His dismissals of key government personnel already is leading to major failures, and encouragement of Musk’s takeover of our finances leave me feeling trump and his unelected aides are nothing more than robber barons.
He has severed friendships with our allies who have been with us thru thick and thin.
His tariffs are leading to reduced services and to business failures.
I and millions of others depend on Medicare and we earned Social Security.
If you want to just sit there and do nothing while Trump and Elon run roughshod over our country, you are free to do that. But stop trying to discourage people who care enough to actually try.
That's not actually what I said. FYI I am making calls and writing letters every day, and everyday I encourage others to do the same. My point was that Trump is trying to solve problems that don't even exist, or didn't until he created them. 🙄
I hear you but feel they don’t care, they are shameless. I keep hearing questioning that is fine for people with some moral compass but they are corrupt people going for a job in a corrupt administration. I think they need to hear about the consequences of criminal activity and drum home that Trump won’t protect them when this all falls apart. I’m not sure what those questions should be but so far apart from Kennedy’s questioning I haven’t seen anyone being “shown up” or uncomfortable. They neutralize the questions with deflection and denial and there is overall little push back.
*sigh* I fear you’re right. Was Clarence Thomas shamed when his grift was revealed? No, he just entrenched. Disco dancing in Bali trumps shame, I guess.
Yeah, some people remember how to feel shame when they do shameful things. Thomas boasted of his trailer that someone paid $250,000 for.
However, Thomas did have his limit. John Oliver offered on his 'Last Week Tonight' he would match that offer, even showed a tricked-out van, if Thomas would resign. Obviously, John didn't offer enough. Perhaps: matching his-her vehicles, one more for Ginni.
No sense of humor, those Thomases. And it should be noted that long before Clarence met Harlan, Leonard Leo was paying Ginni lavishly for … exactly what?
I wrote to all of my reps today (Huffman, Schiff and Padilla) about the looming threats to Social Security and Medicare, as well as the fears my family and friends in Minnesota have expressed about the dire consequences if their power grid goes down during a tariff war with Canada. It's winter, and you can freeze to death very quickly back there! I'll try to attach the template I sent around, but I'm urging everyone to write as well as call their reps. They should all have staff who collect the data on constituent communications, so get yourself into the system. Sounds like some folks ran into problems today-- hang in there. Here's my template-- please use it if you like!
Dear Senator/Representative:
(introduce yourself as a constituent)
I am a retired lawyer, a lifelong democrat, and a resident of Petaluma, California. I have been watching current events in Washington, DC with great dismay. Trump and his maga allies are in the process of staging a federal coup that affects every aspect of our lives, including our financial security. Like millions of other Americans, I rely on Social Security and Medicare to survive.
The illegal and unconstitutional threats made by this rogue administration against these essential social programs are matters of life and death. Please don't let them take our hard-earned benefits away. This is the worst constitutional crisis I have witnessed in 72 years, more serious than even Watergate. I never thought I'd hear myself say that.
Thanks for all that you do.
Marian Parker
Petaluma, CA
PS: Relatives and friends in Minnesota are extremely worried about the effect that trump's tariff war with Canada may have on their power grid. It's deep winter back there, and losing power could easily result in some residents freezing to death. Homebound people and frail elders are especially vulnerable. What assurances can I send them from you that Senate Democrats won't let that happen?
This is what I am sending to any Democrat who asks me for money:
don't ask me for damn $$$. Get some backbone and plan and action on stopping Trump and I MIGHT consider ever donating again.
If you're going to swear, best to aim it at Congressional Republicans. They are the true villains.
Unfortunately, they are different sides of the same coin. Of course republicans are worse by having no values or principles. But democrats are behaving like the abused mother who doesn’t protect her children. They seem paralyzed to take strong actions.
You are just plain wrong. I suggest you go to Jay Kuo's The Status Kuo for today for details.
Not quite. Jay Kuo explains why Democrats didn't immediately act about Musk taking over the Department of Treasury. But that doesn't explain why dozens of Democratic senators have voted to confirm dangerous cabinet nominees, which has been going on for 2 weeks. I was stunned to learn that a Democratic Senator in New Jersey, Cory Booker, voted to confirm Scott Bessant for Treasury. Bessant is responsible for letting Elon Musk and his crew get access to millions of private records and likely millions of dollars in the Treasury. Not one single one of Trump's cabinet nominees should have been confirmed by any Democrats. If you look at the votes, you can see the dozens of Democratic Senators have been confirming many of these nominees
💯 No Democrats should have voted for any of these nominees. On the second subject. Every Democrat should have been in front of a camera in their hometown denouncing the actions taken by Musk on our federal agencies. That didn't happen either. A few showed up in front of the USAID building along with some protesters. This was good. Some individuals have filed suit against Musk for illegally obtaining their personal information. We shall see where that goes. I'm disappointed with the response from our Democratic leaders, especially Schumer who brings an avocado and something else to a press briefing about tariffs. WTF!!!!
Read Jay Kuo today to learn who the good folks are.
I Have.
@ Susan Mac Neill. Putin has you where he wants you.
There already are schisms of MAGAT House members.
1. Minority Republicans
2. Those who support Ukraine vs Putin
3. Those who oppose Musk.
More -- if they represent districts on the border that rely on Mexico and or Canada, and their local businesses are shut down because of tariff policy.
Written by Ben Meiselas
“Now, this is the type of news I love to report! It’s official, folks—the MeidasTouch Network has taken the lead over Fox in digital ratings. Fox, with its billion-dollar budget and oligarch investors, is LOSING to the MeidasTouch Network, which has NO INVESTORS and grows.”
Hey Dan, see Putin’s not winning everywhere.
Dr. MacNeil the largest group voters in the United Staes are neither democrats republicans nor MAGAts. The majority are not affiliated with these folks
Injured citizens, government union members, service union members you & me & everyone else are damaged by the unlawful, arbitrary, capricious conduct by the richest man in the United States ELON MUSK & the fraudulent non-entity"DOGE"
whatever that is.
Public entities not political parties are the crafters of well aimed civil actions such as the one filed today by Public Citizens Litigation Group (PCLG) & Norman L. Eisen's group State Democracy Defenders Fund (SDDF) although you may be more familiar with Mr. Eisen as a Co-founder of 'The Contrarian'.
Take a hard look at their federal complaint: 1:25-cv-00313. That's Civil Action No. 25-313 captioned A.R.A. Alliance of Retired Americans vs. Scott Bessent in his capacity as Secretary of State, the Department of Treasury et al.
Generally, it is alleged ELON MUSK & 'DOGE' has unlawfully gained access to our tax information & other private data in violation of the Privacy Act, The IRS code, SORN & other federal law such as 5 U.S.C Section 706(2)(a).
The complaint's Prayer specifically demands ELON Musk, DOGE stop from their alleged unlawful access to the governments & citizens' confidential data & records.
Of course, the prayer pleads demand for temporary, preliminary & permanent injunction to stop the ELON MUSK & Gang. Also, Plaintiffs their costs, attorney fees & other relief such as a halt to halt contumacious conduct if proved.
That's the thing about well drafted complaints in the U.S. District Court for DC, they do not go after UN-identified 'democrats' nor UN-identified 'republicans'.
This lawsuit goes after the responsible defendants: The hapless SCOTT BESSENT, the Department of Treasury & the BUREAU of the FISCAL SERVICE.
Let's give them somethin' to talk about.
Of course. And I agree wholeheartedly. There have been many complexities that are going on at warped speed. I had just been responding also to Thom Hartman, Rick Wilson, Medhi H, Anand G, Steve S, and a few more regarding Joyce’s question, plus hundreds of those waiting for the democrats to defend us (Anand G’s term). The courts, the lawyers, the people have been showing up with their hearts, minds and powerful voices in the face of this crisis. The progressives have been trying and have been voices in the wind. It appears finally, as of this weekend more are joining and have received the message of the people. And as Joyce always says, “We’re in this together.”
I suggest you grow up.
PhD? Really?
What will bullying her for voicing her opinion do? Why not make a valid counterpoint? What are the Democrats doing? Point it out.
Sharon, many Democrats & small "d" democrats were literally assembled out in front of USAID HQ from which they had been barred from entering. Employees digital access to the USAID platform has been blocked. Think about that. Lawmakers were barred from a government building they created by statute -- by law.
One very well known lawmaker & constitutional law professor, Jamie Raskin, said outside on the DC street: "We do not have a 4th branch of Government called Elon Musk."
I recommend a careful read of the lawsuit which is pending in DC as I text. LawSchool Day 1: Now to get any form of injunctive relief immediately or permanently you must prove "irreparable harm" with admissible evidence under the Federal Rules of Evidence.
Skip the paper legal arguments & simply review the declaration(s) under penalty of perjury by declarant(s) that must show a solid foundation for their factual statements & ... here it comes again ... ADMISSIBLE facts upon with Judge will rule on if challenged.
We built a democratic republic that is nearly 250 years old. Use it or lose it.
I understand that by reading remarks here. My entire point was you don’t insult and bully someone, you provide the information you just did. People are terrified. They need to be able to express that fear free from rude, uncalled for remarks like Janet C posted. If we don’t call it out we’re as bad as MAGA.
Very adult. Nice. Thank you. Plus, adults know how to hold contradictions it’s not black or white.
Stop the personal attacks and be kind.
Why are you busting her chops? We are all on the same side here.
Republicans DO have values and principals, usually bad ones.
Anand Giridharadas of the Ink, is a profoundly wise philosopher/journalist who writes on various topics, including his frustrations with the democrats. He explores their silence and their awakening as of this weekend, through various essays and interviews.
https://substack.com/@chrisberrie/note/p-156321142?r=ap54k&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Actually there are a shocking number of Democratic senators who have voted to confirm very dangerous and unfit cabinet nominees. Look at the list of who are the "yes" votes and you'll be unpleasantly surprised. There's only one cabinet nominee who got zero Democrat senator votes and that was Hegseth
Yes, very disappointing!!
Oh believe me - I swear at the Republicans too
Your statement is what I refer to as 'tea party' talk No, not that Tea Party, but the one little girls have with their dolls (or little boys have with their toy soldiers or trucks just not sure what to call it aside from toy soldier talk.) Anyway, it adds nothing to the conversation much like Democrats in their talk about writing letters and making calls. Its just a ritual.
Of course for Trump and his henchman who are either committing violence or threatening violence, it means nothing. Until those opposing him realize that violence (or its threat) may be the only way to resolve the situation we're in.
Michigan is blessed with two Democrats in the Senate, While they must do more in my opinion, our Congressman, Tom Barrett, freshman, needs to stand up and be counted. I have sent several letters to him. My latest started like this: "I, Tom Barrett, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God." I imagine you can guess the rest of my note.
I did agree he real villains are those democrat senators that are sitting con their hands allowing this to continue. STOP IT.
Sorry, but you are wrong. As Jay Kuo pointed out today in The Status Kuo, Democrats are doing a good deal, and will be doing more in the coming days.
I read Kuo today also and he did make me understand what the Democrats are doing
https://substack.com/@chrisberrie/note/p-156321142?r=ap54k&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Thanks. Just wrote that too. His substack was superb. And the NY FBI and others who didn’t capitulate.
Interestingly when a few - ok maybe 10 or so - years ago there was fear of many Fed Boomers retiring & taking all the institutional knowledge away, there was an uproar. Because MAGAts clearly don’t read, they know not the chaos we’re in.
No Jan is not wrong because their has been little pushback so far. Dems are just starting to speak up and out. And it is about damn time. They still need to connect the dots for people to see the danger we are in.
SHOW ME!!!!!!!!
Evidence of resistance from elected officials is out there, if you look for it.
https://substack.com/@chrisberrie/note/p-156321142?r=ap54k&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Thank you. Actually I have. And appreciate the multiplicities we hold as adults.
I can't wait to see the "more".
I sent something similar earlier. I'm ashamed to have donated to these spineless bastards.
Check out indivisible.org, getting the Dems to fight is what they are all about.
The problem when you respond with anything, including STOP, is the texts get more frequent because they know they have a live phone number. The best thing to do is block the number, and report as junk.
If I get a text from a Republican extremist I take great pleasure in the childish gesture of responding 'Fuck Off you Fascist' - and a couple of minutes later I get a second text saying 'You are unsubscribed'. Small pleasures.
To your very similar message, I've added:
1. Please tell us what you're doing with that money.
2. Start playing MAGA's game and line up billionaire donors; it is what it is.
3. Democrats and other democracy-minded people need to pull together the hundreds of .orgs, PACs and candidates into a coalition. Strength in numbers and one massive concerted effort.
Same
Ok, It's possible Democrats are doing things that we are not aware of. But I know that Democratic NJ Senator Andy Kim voted to confirm Christy Noem to head DHS. And my other Dem Senator, Cory Booker voted to confirm Bessent for Treasury. It's the latter who gave Elon Musk the keys to everything
Here's what I have been doing about that. My Senators voted for Rubio (they all did), so I am calling and saying, "You thought he was someone who could be trusted, but he's showing that he is not, by ending USAID, cutting off aid to Ukraine, and appointing a white supremacist as a deputy. It shows that no one who is willing to work for Trump is an honest or good person, so don't vote for any of them." And since neither of my Senators voted for Bessent, I called and thanked them for that, saying, good job, because he turned the keys of the Treasury over to Musk, and encouraged them to keep up the good work and not vote for a single one of them.
Well-said!
I called the office of every Dem senator who voted for the puppy killer and shamed them. There are no state lines anymore! They work for all of us.
That's exactly what I replied when I was told I was not a 'constituent' - I said we are all constituents nationally and that's what counts.
Yikes!
What???
Thanks what I told the DNCC when they requested $. Told them they wouldn’t get a single cent from me until they did something to stop the pillaging of government agencies!
I have consistently told the DNC to essentially go fuck themselves. They are increasingly useless and irrelevent. I don't care who they elect as Chair; nothing will change. I stopped supporting the party apparatus a long time ago and gave money directly to the campaigns that I felt I needed to support.
None of this stopped the DNC from sending me notices, telling me my membership has expired and I needed to renew, along with a membership card, blah blah.
They've been known to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, but this past performance just took the cake. We, as Dems, have gotten so far away from our roots as a blue collar party that we've forgotten where we came from.
I caved in to AOC, Eugene and Bernie, all others are getting hit with Stop!
1) the minority party has no powers. 2) what they do as politicians is to document what is happening by writing letters, press statements and acts such as, on video, being blocked from a federal building. These all are historical records. Until they are the majority they can do little else but strategize. I am sure behind the scenes, they are negotiating with the very few retake independents they can. Just standing up and challenging this administration is an act of courage. The possibility of imprisonment or worse is getting to be a bigger and bigger possibility. In the mean time lawyers are very busy filing lawsuits. So have some mercy and use your energy to vent your spleen on republicans. Respectfully
Bingo... I was ready to start doing that as well..if I may... can I just take you word for word... short & to the point
Threats are inadequate.
Thanks. May I also use?
For sure
Totally. It’s essential they act with backbone if they want my money.
THIS NEEDS TO BE SAID AGAIN AND AGAIN. There is no plan the elected Democrats in congress are trying to to do it like they have done. wrong!This cannot be do either bipartisanship. I find it incredulous that Democrat senators voted for the kleptocratic trash being offered. Those that did should resign immediately.
On Wed, Feb. 5 at 10:00 am, the Raging Grannies of Madison and Dane County WI will arrive at the Madison office of Sen. Ron Johnson in full Granny glam. That includes flower-covered hats, button-covered aprons, and a few shawls. We'll tell the staffers that 1. no one voted for Elon Musk; 2. Sen. Johnson must oppose the nomination of Russell Vought to run the OMB; and 3. that he swore an oath to protect and defend the constitution, not to destroy it. We have 2 songs to sing, and we will sing them as often and as loudly as necessary to attract their attention. We are the guardrails now!
I love that!! I hope you ladies make the news.., maybe get word out to the media or have someone video your visit so it can be posted and shared..? We need LOTS of interactions like this, and fast! You’ve got me thinking, thank you!!
Good luck. And I mean that. Ron Johnson strikes me as more amoral than most in the senate. And that's saying something.
Thank you. He is cut from the same glossy, insubstantial cloth as all the other rich, old, white guys who view the nation as their golf course and we the people as their caddies. The Raging Grannies have had enough!
Madison resident here…we love the Raging Grannies!! Thanks for being there!
Join us, Bonnie.
I’m out of town or would be there in a second! Look forward to seeing the videos. 🥰
I sent an e-mail to Sen. Johnson objecting to RFK Jr. as HHS Sec'y, and asked for a reply. One part of the response seems to be an abdication of his duty as a senator in the "advise and consent" process:
"Senator Johnson also expressed his view that the number of executive positions requiring Senate confirmation is excessive, and he publicly advocated for reducing this burden to ensure all future presidents can more efficiently staff their administrations."
Why are we even paying him a salary?
you go girl!
You GO Grannies!💞
This is the first local action I've heard about in Madison. Just recently visited the "All the Rage" exhibit at the Ruth Davis Gallery, School of Human Ecology, on the UW-Madison campus. Should have known the Grannies would be leading the charge. I'll be there in solidarity and have alerted others.
Thank you, Anne. The Grannies are very proud of that exhibit. Look forward to seeing you there.
A whole bunch of us across the nation have had serious issues getting through to our senators in their home or DC offices today, Joyce. The lines crackle with static, we get cut off in the middle of messages and I was even sent to X during one of my calls.
I really smell a rat here. Or do I watch too many doomsday flicks?
I urge everyone to download the Resistbot app. It is straightforward and clear. Phones on the hill are jammed and voicemails full. You’re given a choice of communication method and I opted for email. I was pleased to receive responses from my New Hampshire reps within a couple of hours. Much easier and more effective than phoning.
Two angry old ladies (my neighbor and I) visited the field office of one of our Democratic Senators this morning. One take-away was the staffer’s insistence on the importance of elected officials hearing from their constituents.
I agree. Used email and got a response in 3 hours.
Are these email responses automated responses?
I had the crackle as well. I thought the lines were phishy too.
I heard the crackle.
Wow, I called Thom Tillis today and had so much noise on the phone I couldn’t hear. I was persistent and called another number and the local office. Leave the message anyway!
I don’t know.. but it sounds like some infiltration to deter us from leaving a message…. ??
Jaime Raskin, during his portion of the press conference today in front of the USAID building, specifically said that he had already received hundreds of calls from frantic and panicked constituents. People have been getting through and it may be that so many tried to call that it disrupted the phone lines.
I live in a rural part of GA and still have to go out on my porch to be on a phone call on certain days. Otherwise there is static/crackling and/or sound going in and out.
So, it doesn't seem like anyone messed with the phone lines in DC, but that it, more likely than not, was the phone system's inability to handle the sheer volume-- which is good news!
so many of us in different parts of the country experienced the crackle that I am still smelling a rat.
Huh. I had it too, but tried again and got a clear line.
Exactly. Just hang up and try again and eventually, you will get a clear line.
I made calls to the entire Senate Finance Committee at around 12 EST. No problem. This morning at 8 and all day the phones at DC and state offices were a mess.
That whole committee should be in front of the treasury building with cameraman and then barging in the door and demanding to know what Musk and his fools accessed in the way of information and what is going to be done. And sitting and staying there until they get their answer.
And they should be accompanied by the Capitol Police!
Keep trying, hang in, you can leave a message, press 1
I also got crackly static, before they said the voicemails of my CA Senators Schiff and Padilla and Rep. Liccardo were full. I never heard static like that before. ???
https://5calls.org/
I usually email, but someone pointed out this site to me today and I tried it. The call went through immediately, and I spoke to a live person with no crackle on the line.
Conspiracy theories help NO one. The static lines were because they were flooded and couldn't handle the volume.
Exactly. I have had static on lines in the past when calling my senators and my representative. Sometimes it happens when I’m calling my husband! This is not a conspiracy, people; it’s just high volume at work – – and that’s a good thing!
why would that cause the crackle? I would think it would just cause a busy signal -- but I dont' know - just wondering.
Who gets a busy signal anymore? These haven’t been analog lines for decades. Good grief.
The lines are overloaded.
That happened to me on every call I made either to a Washington DC # or to a local number in the Senator or Reps home state. I wondered if something was going on also. Obviously something was going on.
I had trouble too. And mine was with a local office. My senator is a Dem. The recording said the mail box was full
Yes -- same happened to me. At first I thought it was my phone - but no -- it was the lines. I also smell a rat - a big white rat.
*****
Tuesday Morning Update: I was able to "Follow" Senator Van Hollen at www.vanhollen.senate.gov 👍
*****
My understanding is that two Senators, Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) & Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) have placed a U.S. Senate privileged "Hold" on Trump II's nominations.
Senator Van Hollen just confirmed his "hold" position on Jen Psaki's show tonight at 34 minutes into the "Inside with Jen Psaki" program.
The Senator made crystal clear he and his colleagues are trying to get 4 Republican votes to kill the nominations.
The Senator concedes that the "hold" will not be the only tactic to enforce the Rule of Law and/or delay what amounts to Coup 2.0.
The Senator flatly stated the the Attack on statutorily USAID agency was unlawful. I assume that means appropriate federal legal action(s). as the Senator stated he was talking to lawyer(s) all Weekend long.
"Hit 'em again harder."
I read the same thing - I hope it is true, and those nominations are not only on permanent, or at least some lengthy hold, but NOT confirmed! We don't need any more unqualified unskilled unsuited people in the government!
Concur Marli!
Again indeed. Seen here:
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5123870-schatz-trump-state-department-hold-usaid/
Why can’t more senators do this for rump’s nominees who are not qualified (did i say all?)
Thing is, Rubio has already stormed into USAid as boss, so, bull already in shop making a mess. If so much corruption, why only now coming to light?
Also, this is not to be confused with the ‘blue slip’ which is just to hold up a judicial nominee.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_slip_(U.S._Senate)
Thank you R.M. Jory.
“Katie bar the door!!”
No wait, I meant, “change the admin passwords on the servers.”
With Rubio forcing entry to USAid with Elmo’s team in charge, and taking the website of a govt. agency offline: this is the modern-day equivalent of reichtag-burning, and Elmo and Rump know it. Ditto [x] [ treasury and invasion of payments system. Ed.]
Look at how Elmo raided twitter in the first weeks and slashed the staff, you are seeing the same childish rant bestowed on our actual government at this moment.
You are on a roll R M Jory - near Topeka Kansas!
that is good but I seem to remember something about temporary or acting heads don't have to be approved by the senate....he could appoint anyone
There are limitations. As to USAID the purported new Chief is the Chief of the State Department. The Secretary of State is not "acting" accept in his roll as a co-conspirator in "overt acts".
Jumping over to Elon Musk allegedly a "Temporary Government Employee" with a desk an an email address in the White House. Musk faces a financial disclosure deadly 60 days from today 2/3.
You guessed it. That's April Fools Day -- the day for the fool to depart
Do the Senators’ holds mean that even heads of cabinets already approved (like Kristi Noem) will not be able to take the position?
No, I don't think so. Noem's already strutting around in her ICE uniform for photo ops and suggessting that Guantanimo is the perfect setting to house all of the deported immigrants. Rubio is making terrible decisions. So if they were confirmed, then they're already in place doing the damage.
Can someone initiate a FOIA request to see the paperwork of the supposed hire of Musk as a government employee?
That will get answered when pigs fly!
Many years ago I had a “Pigasus”mobile that hung outside my kitchen window. It was a pink pig with wings and it reminded me that there is always hope.
Lori, Musk "status" requires that he record his hours "worked". You can do the Math; Number of Days x 24/per hour. So Musk has likely exhausted his short Rope.
is musk hired ? I think he is an "advisor"
Today I called every R on the Finance committee objecting to Musk's takeover of the Treasury Department and OMB. Here are there numbers:
Tel nos. For R senators on Finance Committee. They all start w 1-202-224. Crapo 6142, wyden5244, Grassley 3744, Cronyn 2934, Thule 2321, Scott 6121, Cassidy 5824, Langford 5754, Diane 2651, Young 5623, Barrasso 6441, Johnson 5323, Tillis 6342, Blackburn 3344, Marshall 4774. Connection issues (are we hacked?) but persist, you can leave message. Wrote to Schumer (again!) and my husband and I are going in person to Coons’ satellite office here in Dover. Boots on the ground. We are trying, but don't have much power.
I'm sorry if I posted this set of calling directions on this site before but just in case I didn't, here is a list of calling directions I got from my local FB group called Pacifica Resist. Here it is. Pass it on:
According to a post on my local FB group, Pacifica Resist, calls are much more effective than petitions or emails. Here are the details. Please pass them on:
Switchboard for both Senate and House: 202-224-2131
So, when you call:
A) When calling the DC office, ask for the Staff member in charge of whatever you're calling about ("Hi, I'd like to speak with the staffer in charge of Healthcare, please") — local offices won't always have specific ones, but they might. If you get transferred to that person, awesome. If you don't, that's ok — ask for that person's name, and then just keep talking to whoever answered the phone. Don't leave a message (unless the office doesn't pick up at all — then you can — but it's better to talk to the staffer who first answered than leave a message for the specific staffer in charge of your topic).
B) Give them your zip code. They won't always ask for it, but make sure you give it to them, so they can mark it down. Extra points if you live in a zip code that traditionally votes for them, since they'll want to make sure they get/keep your vote.
C) If you can make it personal, make it personal. "I voted for you in the last election and I'm worried/happy/whatever" or "I'm a teacher, and I am appalled by Betsy DeVos," or "as a single mother" or "as a white, middle class woman," or whatever.
D) Pick 1-2 specific things per day to focus on. Don't rattle off everything you're concerned about — they're figuring out what 1-2 topics to mark you down for on their lists. So, focus on 1-2 per day. Ideally something that will be voted on/taken up in the next few days, but it doesn't really matter — even if there's not a vote coming up in the next week, call anyway. It's important that they just keep getting calls.
E) Be clear on what you want — "I'm disappointed that the Senator..." or "I want to thank the Senator for their vote on... " or "I want the Senator to know that voting in _____ way is the wrong decision for our state because... " Don't leave any ambiguity.
F) They may get to know your voice/get sick of you — it doesn't matter. The people answering the phones generally turn over every 6 weeks anyway, so even if they're really sick of you, they'll be gone in 6 weeks.
From experience since the election: If you hate being on the phone & feel awkward (which is a lot of people) don't worry about it — there are a bunch of scripts (Indivisible has some, there are lots of others floating around these day). After a few days of calling, it starts to feel a lot more natural.
Put the 6 numbers in your phone (all under P – Politician.) An example is McCaskill MO, Politician McCaskill DC, Politician Blunt MO, etc., which makes it really easy to click down the list each day.
Thank you for the phone numbers!!
Thank you for giving the numbers!
Note: Ron Wyden (included above as one of the Rs on the finance committee) is a Dem, not an R.
Thank you!
Who do we sue when our social security checks don't go out? Or if they just re-direct the funds to DonOlds account? Many people count on receiving those checks every month and likely die without them.
I I honor and thank you for your vigilance and hard work.Keeping us informed and active.
Building building our community of power Together and hope.
If Musk is just now a special government employee what was his status last week when he was pushing his coup?
Musk was/is a criminal, doing illegal things, asking for security codes, locking out the real employees of USAID and grinning into every camera that was around. And Ms Leavitt should just shut up and not lie every time she says something.
She is pleasing her boss and she is quite the arrogant little snot, to boot!
I have a better idea. We need a quarter million armed Americans to march on Washington and take back our government. The 2nd American Revolution needs to start now.
OK, just asking for advice here:
When we reach a government office building entrance, and see it "guarded" by a gang of "2A" spouting reactionaries sporting arms, led by pardoned J6 insurrectionists, --
-- do we "shoot back" with finger pistols
-- run away in terror
-- ask them politely to return our government
-- realize, finally, that once again, we Dems brought knives to a gunfight?
I think the statement was crystal clear. Perhaps you should read it again.
Suggested by Indivisible: Calls are the most effective outreach. One topic per call. Ask for a written response, especially if you request a specific action, such as "Vote No." Be sure to thank the senator and staff for their work if that is warranted. Stay polite. It helps the office keep track of calls if you give your name and zip code. They won't know what you think if you don't tell them.
Making phone calls that won't be listened to and asking for a letter while a coup is now taking place is utterly ridiculous!
Sabrina, how will your Members of Congress know you care about the coup if you don't tell them?
My experience over the years is that they do listen, whether I talk to a staffer or voicemail. I usually get a written response. Unfortunately, not all senators are as responsive and responsible as Oregon's. But if you don't call, they can always say they didn't hear from constituents. Why not give it a try?
All right, then they will have their IT/AI guy develop standard response routines for just your situation. Whee!
Soon enough, you will learn who is responsive and who is f*cking with you and your vote without these games.
Electronic paperwork games will get you nowhere.
BTW, the GOP Senator who pretends to always worry about the big factors in appointments, Susan Collins, just announced she would vote FOR Tulsi Gabbard. Who's surprised? Do you think any hard-headed Mainers held their breaths? Then again, they do keep electing her. Maybe they're all reading Susan's written responses.
At least, F-Elon won't have to steal our national security; Tulsi will give it away.
Trump, Musk, and Putin have you right where they want you.
You should also make friends with the staffer who deals with the issue you are concerned about. This is very important to try to do, develop rapport. Every lobbyist knows this.
You're kidding?!! 10,000 asskissing or intransigent constituents are going to get past receptionists?? -- you certainly will not be given any "direct" lines to the staff.
My wife was a staffer to a leading congresswoman for a quarter-century; after a few months she could smell the AKers on the phone as it was ringing.
We (I was a community activist in parallel issues) knew who had information and leadership and those who were ardent but clueless. Occasionally we encountered an activist with expert knowledge and connected him with an appropriate office. No, actually, that was maybe once. He knew some people deep inside Burma....
All MCs (state legislators, too) that we knew of over 50 years had a standard technique when an issue got "hot": their office directors had staff tally incoming calls, messages, visitors: pro vs con, personally-written/spoken opinions or form-letters (and #s of each). Occasionally, extra staff (read: usually interns) were added to handle the phone load.
Some office staff were identified as (my term) Especially Empathetic who would meet with groups who dropped in, discern their issue and which side they were on, then ooze empathy until their cups were full. Another time (while in planning the 1984 Demo Natl Convention) we met a guy whose job was to stand by his boss's side and mutter the name and key facts of each person approaching her! (The guy seemed to be a functioning alcoholic, too.) I did that once in 1990 when I ran a Census office and surprisingly rattled off 50+ names/titles of community leaders so my boss could greet them. This was not hard, got it perfect...but I never tried it twice!).
Legislators are not alone in using these techniques. I once met a very friendly and agreeable, nationally-known author: he was a vet who was in the Vietnam war. He gave me his private phone #. After months of calling, I realized he used this just as a decoy line! He and I had a mutual friend, an international movie star who introduced us, so I was not entirely a nobody. Sometimes the connection works, other times, not.
Norm, you seem to have a lot of experience in contacting members of Congress. You’ve clearly identified some tactics that DON’T work. Can you suggest some that you have found DO work?
I’ve been calling our MN Senators and my Rep every day. I would like to see them taking more leadership. I’ve asked they block all nominees every time I call.
Who are the Republican Senators we should be contacting, that’s my next task.
Me too, Jennifer! Hope they are getting a ton of calls. Also called Ellison to ask if the AGs can do anything to stop what is happening at Treasury. Got a person there, who said they are getting a lot of calls.
Calls are tracked so am calling daily to tell my (republican) senators different portions of the following:
I am an elderly senior and a widow who’s appalled at the direction that trump administration is taking the country. First time in life ashamed to say am an American cutizen.
Trump’s candidates are dangerously inexperienced, and his policies against minorities are inhumane and completely unfounded
His dismissals of key government personnel already is leading to major failures, and encouragement of Musk’s takeover of our finances leave me feeling trump and his unelected aides are nothing more than robber barons.
He has severed friendships with our allies who have been with us thru thick and thin.
His tariffs are leading to reduced services and to business failures.
I and millions of others depend on Medicare and we earned Social Security.
I do not feel safe. I do not feel secure.
End the chaos.
And all for what? Less than a month ago, America was in a very good place. Needless, senseless turmoil and suffering.
If you want to just sit there and do nothing while Trump and Elon run roughshod over our country, you are free to do that. But stop trying to discourage people who care enough to actually try.
That's not actually what I said. FYI I am making calls and writing letters every day, and everyday I encourage others to do the same. My point was that Trump is trying to solve problems that don't even exist, or didn't until he created them. 🙄
I think some questions to be asked Patel - too late for Rubio - is how he feels about Elon Musk, his power and racism.
I hear you but feel they don’t care, they are shameless. I keep hearing questioning that is fine for people with some moral compass but they are corrupt people going for a job in a corrupt administration. I think they need to hear about the consequences of criminal activity and drum home that Trump won’t protect them when this all falls apart. I’m not sure what those questions should be but so far apart from Kennedy’s questioning I haven’t seen anyone being “shown up” or uncomfortable. They neutralize the questions with deflection and denial and there is overall little push back.
*sigh* I fear you’re right. Was Clarence Thomas shamed when his grift was revealed? No, he just entrenched. Disco dancing in Bali trumps shame, I guess.
Yeah, some people remember how to feel shame when they do shameful things. Thomas boasted of his trailer that someone paid $250,000 for.
However, Thomas did have his limit. John Oliver offered on his 'Last Week Tonight' he would match that offer, even showed a tricked-out van, if Thomas would resign. Obviously, John didn't offer enough. Perhaps: matching his-her vehicles, one more for Ginni.
The hearings are a joke. Listened to most of them so far!
No sense of humor, those Thomases. And it should be noted that long before Clarence met Harlan, Leonard Leo was paying Ginni lavishly for … exactly what?
Let's ask them what should be done with folks that betray their oath to the constitution.
Oh yes, because we need more lies and/or obfuscations.
I called Schumer’s and Gillibrand’s offices three times today. No answer. No voicemail operating.
I suggest you call one of their offices in New York. Staff should convey your message to DC.
Thanks. Will do tomorrow
I was able to leave voicemail after 4 pm. will continue the same tomorrow. Squeaky wheels.
You can send them an email to their website but I have heard that physical letters sent through postal mail get more attention
I woud send a postcard rather than a letter if possible, because they may be wary of opening envelopes.
Of course not. Pontificating us easy … but doing?
Call their NYC offices
I wrote to all of my reps today (Huffman, Schiff and Padilla) about the looming threats to Social Security and Medicare, as well as the fears my family and friends in Minnesota have expressed about the dire consequences if their power grid goes down during a tariff war with Canada. It's winter, and you can freeze to death very quickly back there! I'll try to attach the template I sent around, but I'm urging everyone to write as well as call their reps. They should all have staff who collect the data on constituent communications, so get yourself into the system. Sounds like some folks ran into problems today-- hang in there. Here's my template-- please use it if you like!
Dear Senator/Representative:
(introduce yourself as a constituent)
I am a retired lawyer, a lifelong democrat, and a resident of Petaluma, California. I have been watching current events in Washington, DC with great dismay. Trump and his maga allies are in the process of staging a federal coup that affects every aspect of our lives, including our financial security. Like millions of other Americans, I rely on Social Security and Medicare to survive.
The illegal and unconstitutional threats made by this rogue administration against these essential social programs are matters of life and death. Please don't let them take our hard-earned benefits away. This is the worst constitutional crisis I have witnessed in 72 years, more serious than even Watergate. I never thought I'd hear myself say that.
Thanks for all that you do.
Marian Parker
Petaluma, CA
PS: Relatives and friends in Minnesota are extremely worried about the effect that trump's tariff war with Canada may have on their power grid. It's deep winter back there, and losing power could easily result in some residents freezing to death. Homebound people and frail elders are especially vulnerable. What assurances can I send them from you that Senate Democrats won't let that happen?