I read your list of suggestions for appointees to a shadow cabinet and I think it is brilliant and appropriate to a person. It would be a dream team. Let’s get started!
Couldn't agree more. David Hogg and Maxwell Frost are our future hope and need to be engaged now. The Democratic establishment needs to loosen the reins if it has any hope of regaining power. But Robert's list is excellent.
I am not on social media and have tried to find an email for him when he was made vice chair to congratulate him and Malcolm Kenyatta. Couldn’t find anything.
About bluesky. A warning for all of you who may be a bit short on current technology (I'm still running Win7 and the I/O in my brain shows it's age.)
Don't get mixed up with "Blue Sky" a company that has long been selling fabric products. I somehow got mixed up between the two and ended up with an unknown password for bluesky and got shut out.
Ha! Blue Sky must have been puzzled at your attempts to rabble rouse on their fabric site! Do attempt to contact the real Bluesky though - people get shut out by mistake and there is recourse. I'd have to dig around to figure it out, but don't give up.
Strike Chuck Schumer from the list. I used to be an ardent supporter and have voted for him every time. I’ve emailed him several times (no replies) and called his DC number (lots of static, and left a voicemail which got cut off before I could leave most of my brief message.)
Chuck is a major disappointment. He needs to take off the gloves, lose his politico veneer and FIGHT FOR HIS CONSTITUENTS. It is that simple.
Chuck Schumer will be standing next to Joe Biden in history's list of nice guys who finished last. This sadens me, but there is no time left for sadness.
Ed, were you keeping track during the Biden administration? Here are just a few things that he and Harris were able to accomplish ... besides beating Trump in the 2020 election. He did not finish last!
• Passed the largest infrastructure bill in a generation.
• Passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.
• Ended the war in Afghanistan.
• Passed the first gun safety legislation in a generation.
• Banned ghost guns.
• Invested $3 billion in mental health and substance abuse prevention
• Rejoined the Paris Climate Accords.
• Rejoined the World Health Organization.
• Appointed 42 federal district court judges—the most in 40 years (during first year).
• Restored California’s ability to set stricter climate requirements
• Prohibited discrimination against LGBTQ patients in healthcare
• Forgave $11.5B in student loans for disabled students, students who were defrauded
• Traveled to war zones, and brought the USA back to the global table as a strong respected partner and leader.
You're goddamn right, I thought he was the best president of my lifetime, and not just because of whom he was standing next to. I only regret that he probably won't live to see his presidency reevaluated by history.
Yes, I wish he could start seeing a "reevaluation" already. For Pete's sake! He was just in office! I find it discouraging to realize what short attention spans we Americans have.
I've been really disappointed in my Senator Klobuchar. She, like Biden is too old school and thinks that she should reach across the aisle and compromise. Bipartisanship is dead. There isn't one Republican that wouldn't stab her in the back and turn the knife twice. I can't believe she voted to put through some of Trumps cabinet. I also hated how she sat by Trump and Vance during the inauguration events and was smiling and laughing like she was having a great time. Does she not remember that Trump called his mob who tried to overthrow that government while chanted hang Mike Pence and beating the hell out of 140 police officers? I will never forget!
She also bragged about how she rode in the limo with Trump. To me she looks weak and not willing to put up the fight that we need in Congress. Young people know how to get out there on social media and get out the vote. Look how many young people we lost to Trump or that just didn't bother to vote.
I live in Oregon and while my Senators are doing good things, Wyden is not well liked among progressives, and there are other people stronger than Merkley. I would like to see Jasmine Crockett on the list. She is way smarter than she appears at first glance.
Well you can't blame him for the phone lines - that's on all of us (yay!), but you could also email if you are a direct local constituent (a system that stinks), and use Xitter, FB, and (I don't know if he's on) Bluesky. You are absolutely right though that the older dogs in the kennel simply cannot seem to find their fight.
Agreed. A suggestion, though: It is quite a long list and the average American probably wouldn't be able to put a name or face to even the actual cabinet member responsible for certain political decisions in most cases. Even less so a shadow cabinet member.
So in order to not dilute the message and the impact it might be helpful to scale the number of messengers down to perhaps five or six. As we have learned the hard way it is not the information you convey which counts, it is solely communication, communication and again communication.
The best communicator hands down is Pete Buttigieg. He has a firm grasp of the issues in many fields, comes across as serious and credible, for one of the latest examples watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=568Uub2G7CI
Here he spoke before a sympathetic, approving crowd. But time and again he has proven that he can reach voters on the other side of the aisle.
Let's be realistic, of course. Forming a shadow cabinet will be eyed by many DC Democrats with suspicion or as a welcome opportunity to jockey for a pole position for the 2028 primaries. One can only hope that in the interest of forming a powerful and successful team personal ambitions will be shelved – at least for the time being.
Yes, I was going to say as well -- it's roughly a mirror system of the UK. And they are human beings. It's a great idea however it emerges. But without a tradition of time allotment and media ecosystem, they are truly probably up to their ears right now trying to figure out how to stop this monstrosity.
Also, leaving it to a handful doesn't allow Dems to showcase all their strength. Even this board has different ideas of whom they favor.
Perhaps personal ambitions should be shelved; on the other hand perhaps talent, charisma, messaging skills, etc. should be showcased. Dems have a wide bench, but who among them (save Bernie) has any national recognition or avid following? Let's not hide our potential LEDs--Pritzker, Polis, Beshear, Moore, Newsome, Whitmer--under a bushel basket.
Yes, let's all do OUR part to get the idea out there and AMPLIFY today's column! We are all in this together.
Sorry, but it wasn't totally clear to me from the above post whether you were suggesting a course of action for all of us to take or just telling Robert to do so.
I've been seeing far too many comments in the Substacks I read that start with "Democrats need to..." which prompts me to want to ask - and what are YOU doing? (if not already included in their comment)
Great idea! After Timothy Snyder (On Tyranny) proposed this, a petition was started to support the idea. Hopefully it can give folks who can be "in the room where it happens" support to push for the Shadow Cabinet. Please >repost< and sign this petition- over 6K signers so far!
Agree Robert. Thank you!! Citizens need to act. It’s up to us now.
1. We can encourage the Dems to step up but we can’t and shouldn’t count on them to do so. It’s up to us.
2. Citizens are going to have to lead this and I believe you can feel this starting to happen. Apathy and disengagement is abundant, they are our challenge. We need to pull others out of it, to help get them engaged. It’s up to us.
3. I support several efforts such as former Repub Congressman Joe Walsh’s The Social Contract and others. Find an effective effort, engage in it, engage others. It’s up to us.
However I suggest that they come up with a better name. One of the flashpoints before the Civil War was that Americans thought they were real power behind the King, similar to what Musk is to Trump.
1.WE CREATE THE SHADOW CABINET. If one of these reps is yours, CALL THEM TODAY and every day and tell them to form an organized opposition and be loud. Maybe call them even if they aren’t your rep and say how much you appreciate them getting loud.
2. Call Jeffries (202) 225-5936 and Schumer’s(202) 224-6542 and tell them to DO THIS NOW.
3. Consider Quaker Meetings. There is no officiant. Everyone takes a turn. We can have a leaderless resistance if we all of us take part at some level. We are the leaders in our grassroots movements. The Dems on the inside have little power, but they are doing what they can. Everyone needs to participate
4 Join your local Indivisible group and Dem party. WE need to wake up the Dems from the ground up. Indivisible is great and we should bring some of that energy to the Dems.
5Take care of yourself, breathe, gather in community, find joy. Then do it all again
We are all in this together and we will keep fighting!
When I call my representative's office today (Deborah Ross, NC), I will urge the shadow cabinet idea be implemented. Is there any website that lists of all the local and national protests/actions that are planned for the coming week (and beyond)? That is a needed resource.
Yes! There needs to be a clearing house for all of the planned actions so people can schedule as well as check when they have an opening and pick something up in the moment. I saw people who said they had not known about the protest outside the Treasury, for instance. When USAID met outside the RR building I don't think everyone knew about that, just for example.
I totally agree with Eloise! It is a fabulous idea and I love all of those people you recommended for the Shadow Cabinet. Thank you. Can you recommend ways to get this going? It's time!
Oh Robert! Please get lots of rest, and I hope you can recover quickly from "being sick as a dog!"
(it's a strange idiom, as I can't imagine how sick a dog can be)
You have proposed a great list of suggested people for the shadow cabinet. Let's post that list far and wide and see what happens next! I've restacked.
In addition to the shadow cabinet, I would like to see a list of five Senators and four representatives who should leave the GOP caucus , become independents, force a new vote on speaker of the House and majority leader of the Senate, and proceed to impeach Bessent, Hegseth, Bondi, and Vought. And .Noem. Explain to the country and the people of their States that these people pose a direct threat to their economic survival and health and freedom. Put ICE and the military on notice that they have duties to the Constitution. Get the Congresspeople to go public with the threats placed against their families.
The litmus test will already come up this week with the vote on the confirmation of Kash Patel. He is the poster child for trump's efforts to dismantle the judicial system and the rule of law. This would be (the last?) opportunity for MAGA Senators that they are not rubber stamping current efforts to lay waste to the republic.
The Republicans really liked Kash Patel for some reason which is weird because so many on the enemy list are in the GOP.. I think it is over on the nominations. They apparently can only stand up if the GOP is no longer in control of the chamber. Their excuse afterward should be that the nominees lied about their oath to the Constitution and rule of law. I know this is crazy, but it really is needed to avoid a Stalinist system for the rest of my life, so I just throw it out there.
Good for reading and catching. :). Sometimes libertarians have principles. I forgot Mitch McConnell. He got us into this mess, and doesn’t have much to lose. I also think any female and Black and Latino senators should join as well.
I'm convinced there are threats. I don't think fear of losing their job is the whole threat, especially with those older Senators. I have looked at their Xitter feeds in order to urge resistance on them and the ugliness is shocking. GOP who resist get way way more violent threats and disgusting really personal insults than Dems who resist. I also expect they are not only told by Elon he'll pay to see them primaried, but he'll see them ruined for life, which he could easily do and would probably enjoy. If they'd go public with threats it might help but it might not. We need five GOP but that first tiny resistance evaporated pretty fast. . .
Not only is that a fine list for a Shadow Cabinet, but whoever can jump-start this cabinet into a living organism shouldn't wait and debate for a better list. For this, I suggest a play from 47 regime's playbook: shoot first, and then aim. We've already got superior reps.
I just listened to Klobuchar last night on a podcast: she's sharp, experienced, tuned into the moment and has gravitas to push things in the right direction. Perfect to give AOC the role we wanted her to win. Add consumer fraud to Elizabeth Warren -- CFPB is her baby, and also something I feel strongly about. Outstanding to include talented Ben Wikler in this, too, because it also releases some of the tension felt by his DNC loss to Ken Martin. Maybe add Sheldon Whitehouse on Dark Money and environmental regulation. Also consider a Shadow Cabinet coordinator or organizer position (also D rep): reps may be willing, but not know what / when / where to appear in a new endeavor.
The gestalt of this effort is to get Dem ideas out in the public sphere, however it reassembles itself in 2025. We have the talent, but the narrative must be recaptured, shaped and vigorously promoted, and quickly. I'm reminded of the old Honda commercial, where the cars would sell themselves. In this rapacious environment, *anything* is better than what Trump/Musk/2025 is selling, but we can and need to do better. I'm coming to the conclusion that the back end is the courts. Enough cases will run their course to help hold democracy in the face of continual assaults.
I'm feeling the overwhelm, and I sincerely hope Robert recuperates soon.
Probably because their strategy was to focus firepower on the most dangerous / highest profile nominees. They are in the minority this term and they cannot change that.
But, she didn't need to vote for _any_ of them. I was disappointed about how relaxed she seemed on inauguration day when she had the role of accompanying the two presidents in limo and to various events. I don't completely trust her to take what is happening as way beyond normal politics.
I suggest you listen to the podcast with I believe Daily Beast that I mention. She explains exactly what and why she did during the inauguration -- that position was assigned 12 months before the inauguration. She was doing her job. It's fine if you don't like her, but it is really not helping Dems to focus your ire on Dems now, as Rs continue their flagrantly unauthorized coup.
It's okay to discuss the whys and disappointments and gather opinions on Dems, and if there is any appropriate place to do it it's within a forum where the discussion that has been invited is supposed to be on who could play which role.
I am so disappointed in my senator Klobuchar. I was disgusted the way she acted on inauguration day. Bragging about riding in the limo with Trump sitting by him and laughing it up like they were besties. Has she forgotten about the insurrection? I sure haven't. She should have never voted for any of Trumps nominees. She looks weak, and needs to remember that bipartisanship is dead. I have called her several times so hopefully she's realizing she needs to fight more for us.
I often think they make a mistake to act like it's a situation where voting for one nominee gains them some sort of credence or extra ability to vote against someone else. The Rs rarely play any game that way - for them the goal is all the wins all the time and it's an unlimited zero sum game.
Thank you for your continued reflections on our crisis. I count on your newsletter for information and direction.
Like many others I'm trying to counteract the horrendous situation we're in: I make calls daily, have visited our senators' offices, I'm on the steering committee of our local Indivisible group. It's not enough for this steamrolling of our democracy.
I hope the shadow cabinet ideas takes off. I hope people participate in the economic boycott scheduled for Feb 28.
I appreciate every person who is fighting to save our country.
I just found out about this yesterday. I don't know anything more than what's on this link. Hoping it's a grassroots effort that takes off. Thank you and keep resisting... Dee
This was the general message I saw on a number of sites.
ECONOMIC BLACKOUT on FEBRUARY 28, 2025
TAKE PART AND SHARE THE NEWS
If you haven't heard, there will be an ECONOMIC BLACKOUT, February 28th, nationwide. This means don't buy ANYTHING unless it's from a small local business: No gas, no fast food, and definitely nothing from places like Target, Walmart, or Amazon. Get the word out! We want THEM to see that WE have the power. We will start with 1 day, then 3, then specific companies until our message is heard.
I like the one day then three then specific companies part... Is everyone supposed to stay off FB too? I wish they'd add that. If the logged on figures dropped dramatically they'd probably notice.
How about blue states that give more than they take from the federal govt holding our federal tax payments in escrow until our funds are being properly dispersed by the federal govt?? Thank you and feel better soon!!!!!
Our lone KY (deep red state) Democratic Congressman, Morgan Mcgarvey, led a STOP ELON rally in Louisville on Saturday. An over-capacity crowd showed up and were spurred on by union co-speakers to agitate, agitate, agitate! I echo Robert's call to use the tools provided by Jessica Craven and 5 calls. Show up at your Senators' local offices. Organize to have a steady stream of people showing up (we organized for 2 people to show up every 45 minutes). McGarvey also encouraged us to get active in the 3 special election House races...send donations, join phone banking/text banking/postcarding/door knocking efforts. Towards the end of the rally the message was sent, national strikes have worked before...it might be time
Yes. I hold out hope for the special elections to at least move margins enough to scare the Rs... and obviously I secretly also hope for at least one win. Remember when Warnock and Ossoff won? That was a major reprieve.
On a different note, look tomorrow for a new contextual article by Jay Kuo. I wanted to post a great response of Kuo's (a seasoned attorney, which I am not) to a reader tonight, for it really encapsulates a sense of how to focus energy well re: courts and calls, and not get too discouraged. Very supportive. Edit: and here's the new JK today! https://statuskuo.substack.com/p/blunting-their-attacks
Kuo said last night:
"It's helpful to keep things in perspective. We know what the DOGE folks have attempted and where they have been stopped. We know what Trump is trying to do to freeze federal assistance and US foreign aid, and where he has been sued and stopped in some cases. These questions are likely to be decided while he goes about trying to do other illegal, unconstitutional things. But there is a vigilance now, and the more Musk tries, the deeper shit he will be in at this point, given how judges have already ruled against him. Worrying about what Trump or Musk might do isn't going to lower anybody's blood pressure for sure! Know that everything they attempt from here on will 1) be as illegal as what they've tried, and 2) be pounced on immediately by lawyers. There are some 40 lawsuits already. I suggest leaving the worrying to the folks on the front lines and supporting them as best we can through donations, and by calling our representatives to urge them to take a stand."
I keep saying this until I'm blue in the face, so maybe consult an attorney? No, lawsuits aren't useless if and when they disobey. They may be the very thing that saves us in the long run. To be concerned about how that would work, and what the next steps are, is OK. Uttering blanket discouragement before they can do their critical work, especially if you do not know procedure and recourse with the 42 current cases filed, helps nobody.
I too am discouraged about enforcement and disgusted at the lack. Since Trump and Elon know they are breaking the law and continue to do so regardless, we are reminded we not only have a balance of powers which can behave in a somewhat oppositional way (when they have the will to do so) but an inter-knit supportive system where our judicial portion only renders opinions and we rely on our executive to see the laws of the legislative branch are faithfully enforced as interpreted by the judicial branch. In that way no one branch is sufficient without the others, yet our current supreme executive tries to make, change and break laws and the Constitution, ignores the judicial branch verdicts, and certainly isn't going to enforce decisions against himself. So long as he is seen as the legitimate head of the executive branch other enforcement bodies aren't going to move to do so either.
The right wing propaganda machine (the most vehement being R representatives) is saying all of this is necessary and even delightful - apparently not minding the loss of their power. We run the risk of the public believing that, since our news has become so skewed... but they do report the judicial decisions which fit right into their easy horse race templates.
Even unenforced, the court decisions do three things: State unequivocally that this is against the law, set an expectation of compliance with the courts which is still a part of our national psyche and thus arouses indignation when court decisions are defied, and sets an example of defiance and bravery to show it can be done, and survived.
So yes to both. I'm discouraged at the lack of an easy fix where the US Marshall swoops down and arrests Elon, Bessent restores all funding at least until such time as the House can revise the budget if they want to do so, and maybe Capitol Security better regulates who accesses where in which buildings, but I also think that even unenforced court cases are helping enormously.
I think this is a "must read" piece from Jay Kuo. Senators Brian Schatz and Andy Kim are at the top of my New Heroes list. They are doing what the entire Democratic party should be doing. In every phone call we need to use Sen. Kim's "Just say no."
I know some of you in this group also like sending thank you postcards so here are the addresses for you. I always say a postcard is going to be touched by more hands while an email and phone message are touched only once.
Remember, Sen. Kim, then a Representative, on 1/6 stayed in the rotunda and helped sweep up the trash left behind.
Sen. Brian Schatz, 300 Ala Moana Blvd. #7-212, Honolulu, HI 96850
Sen. Andy Kim, Harborside 3, 210 Hudson St. #1000, Jersey City, NY 07311
"All because a 19-year-old software engineer is incapable of imagining the human suffering that reckless cuts will cause." That's because the kids are playing with "data", and don't perceive it as messing with actual lives.
The DNC chair should be Chief of Staff for the Shadow Cabinet and herd the cats into concerted action.
Get well soon. This was a remarkable letter and we need more like it.
Obviously none of us know, but it's quite likely Elon found these six young people because they already had an affinity for ignoring suffering and getting high on power and money. Elon and six young people... needed 7 million dollars for their work on our federal programs and data over the first week or two. I don't give them a pass for being young. I was young once and I could have understood there were lives behind that data.
You may be right, such people are certainly out there. My comment was based on a concern that if one spends an inordinate amount of time interacting electronically one can lose sight of the reality behind the screen.
Even more fundamental than the constitutional right to elect a governing group is the integrity of our word. The constitution itself is composed in words. If words themselves are meaningless, if the gravity of promising is compromised, if our speaking is of no consequence to ourselves then what difference does any document make?
The power of our constitution, the words by which we literally constitute our being together, lays exclusively in the honor each one of us brings to his or her speaking and the listening or grace we grant to our own speaking or the listening we grant to others.
Without this foundation of honoring our word and the word of others, we have no common ground.
Paradoxically, it is only in being bound by our word that we can find freedom. Freedom from being duty bound by honor opens the way to the tyranny of right by might and the laws of the jungle where kill or be killed rules.
The choice to be bound by our word lives in each and every moment. The power of our word is determined by our ongoing commitment to speak truthfully.
Recognize the power of each and every one your words and use them only for good
While that's a tempting idea, it would set a terrible precedent for the country's future. If the debt ceiling-as-hostage is any indication, individual states withholding taxes to punish other states or executive will quickly escalate into a forever tax war.
I’m wondering what our recourse is if our tax funds are being misappropriated - I’d rather my state hold the funds and if necessary use them to provide important services that the federal govt may unconstitutionally stop funding. I’m not an attorney and would love to understand how this works.
Red and blue are purple in most places so it couldn't be done at a state level. But what about on an individual level, on a massive scale, i.e., a national tax strike? Would that be possible? I just can't see writing a check to the government until the government is restored.
I am an American citizen and retired USAF officer living in Germany. I am regularly in contact with my Congressional representative and my Senator (one of my state's senators is now trying to cope with his new responsibilities as Secretary of State). I don't use FB or X/Twitter. I am on BlueSky & support many sites here on Substack. Up until my latest political donation on Jan 12 2025, I've donated over the past two election cycles to many Democrats running for crucial Senate and House seats and to Vice President Harris' campaign. This was never a problem as I provided my passport number to verify I was entitled to make such donations. Since Jan 20th I can no longer make political donations. The info I got from ActBlue is that "To process a political donation through the ActBlue platform, an individual must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and donate from the U.S.” That is to say, the three million plus U.S. citizens living abroad are having their right to support the candidates of their choice taken from them. Is anyone aware of what is behind this?
It is. Especially since all was working fine on 12 January. The next time I tried to make a donation (a few days ago, but after 20 January) was when I noticed it.
Dan, that's terrible. Some hare-brained member of Act Blue needs to be questioned by our representatives in Congress. Spread the word as you are. Have you spoken to your rep?
Sorry. I used to live in Texas, so I should've known to be more specific. Florida. The next district over from Max Gates' old stomping grounds. Just as red though.
I don't know what's going on with that, though I also used to live in Germany. It could be a payment server compliance issue that changed, and not ActBlue itself. Or it might have something to do with voter suppression in the new regime, whether it was entered legally or not. It does sound strange.
I‘ve also tried donating to the candidates directly. That also doesn’t work. Of course, I ordered something on line to make sure it wasn’t my card, and those order payments were o.k. Though I have my bank in the States, my billing address is in Germany. I sure hope I hear something from DA or the ACLU.
Yes to this alternative cabinet!! Let’s find the right name. Shadow sounds negative. Something like checks and balances but smoother sounding. My call today to my senators and congresswoman will include this idea of an alternative cabinet. Let’s get Heather Cox Richardson to weigh in on this idea.
Yes, the People's cabinet suggested by, I believe, Change.ORG. is. The Shadow cabinet is a 24/7 job. Our legislators need to spend their time finding ways to bring tRump's cabinet members to justice. People that can think on their feet and are articulate like Obama, Buttigieg and the like could do this job of following members of tRump's cabinet, criticizing their lies etc. Former retired Governors, Military leaders, reporters and journalists would fit this position as well.
Robert, one notable exception. I nominate Jasmine Crockett (Congresswoman from Texas) as our Communications Director and internal Asskicker for motivation.
I read your list of suggestions for appointees to a shadow cabinet and I think it is brilliant and appropriate to a person. It would be a dream team. Let’s get started!
Awesome list ! My suggestion for an addition.
David Hogg and Maxwell Frost-ATF/Gun Control.Also could be FAUX News designated hitters.
Please rest,Robert. Healing thoughts…
Couldn't agree more. David Hogg and Maxwell Frost are our future hope and need to be engaged now. The Democratic establishment needs to loosen the reins if it has any hope of regaining power. But Robert's list is excellent.
Is there a way to ensure that this idea gets to David Hogg since he is now the new vice chair of the DNC? And also to Maxwell Frost?
Excellent idea..and Robert’s list reminds me that we do have some brilliant advocates.
I bet some of them read this newsletter. Our job is to make sure they hear this idea, over and over.
Write to them?
I have written to the DNC for their contact jnfo. Never heard.
At what address or email preferably
Susan, try this: www.leaderswedeserve.com
I am not on social media and have tried to find an email for him when he was made vice chair to congratulate him and Malcolm Kenyatta. Couldn’t find anything.
They are on bluesky where the resistance happens. Join it, follow DemocracyDocket, etc.
Hi, just cannot do Bluesky or any social media, but super appreciate Democracy Docket. Signed up and shared all over. Thanks again.
About bluesky. A warning for all of you who may be a bit short on current technology (I'm still running Win7 and the I/O in my brain shows it's age.)
Don't get mixed up with "Blue Sky" a company that has long been selling fabric products. I somehow got mixed up between the two and ended up with an unknown password for bluesky and got shut out.
Ha! Blue Sky must have been puzzled at your attempts to rabble rouse on their fabric site! Do attempt to contact the real Bluesky though - people get shut out by mistake and there is recourse. I'd have to dig around to figure it out, but don't give up.
I also suggest Bernie Sanders and Sheldon Whitehouse have some role because both have been outspoken. Dan Goldman for legal counsel.
Whitehouse and Goldman: excellent choices.
I have been super impressed with Sheldon Whitehouse from his appearances on MSNBC. He has been a real fighter and going after the Supreme Court.
More youth!
Good suggestions, Kathy! And Robert, you are carrying a lot of stress! I hope you will get some rest this week!
absolutely and those 2 can help with getting to the right social media as well
Yes!
Strike Chuck Schumer from the list. I used to be an ardent supporter and have voted for him every time. I’ve emailed him several times (no replies) and called his DC number (lots of static, and left a voicemail which got cut off before I could leave most of my brief message.)
Chuck is a major disappointment. He needs to take off the gloves, lose his politico veneer and FIGHT FOR HIS CONSTITUENTS. It is that simple.
This is what Robert actually wrote: "Not Chuck Schumer—Minority Leader, Senate (Klobuchar?)"
Note the first word. IOW, replace Chuck as Minority Leader and have that replacement serve in the shadow cabinet.
Yeah, I got that, but he mentioned Klobuchar further down for another position, so I was confused. I'm easily confused at 5:30AM without coffee.
😆
It's not you. It was confusing.
Chuck Schumer will be standing next to Joe Biden in history's list of nice guys who finished last. This sadens me, but there is no time left for sadness.
Ed, were you keeping track during the Biden administration? Here are just a few things that he and Harris were able to accomplish ... besides beating Trump in the 2020 election. He did not finish last!
• Passed the largest infrastructure bill in a generation.
• Passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.
• Ended the war in Afghanistan.
• Passed the first gun safety legislation in a generation.
• Banned ghost guns.
• Invested $3 billion in mental health and substance abuse prevention
• Rejoined the Paris Climate Accords.
• Rejoined the World Health Organization.
• Appointed 42 federal district court judges—the most in 40 years (during first year).
• Restored California’s ability to set stricter climate requirements
• Prohibited discrimination against LGBTQ patients in healthcare
• Forgave $11.5B in student loans for disabled students, students who were defrauded
• Traveled to war zones, and brought the USA back to the global table as a strong respected partner and leader.
You're goddamn right, I thought he was the best president of my lifetime, and not just because of whom he was standing next to. I only regret that he probably won't live to see his presidency reevaluated by history.
Yes, I wish he could start seeing a "reevaluation" already. For Pete's sake! He was just in office! I find it discouraging to realize what short attention spans we Americans have.
It's easy to start to repeat the far right lies...thanks for the reminder
Yes, on Klobuchar, but how do we get her to replace Schumer now? He has to go.
I've been really disappointed in my Senator Klobuchar. She, like Biden is too old school and thinks that she should reach across the aisle and compromise. Bipartisanship is dead. There isn't one Republican that wouldn't stab her in the back and turn the knife twice. I can't believe she voted to put through some of Trumps cabinet. I also hated how she sat by Trump and Vance during the inauguration events and was smiling and laughing like she was having a great time. Does she not remember that Trump called his mob who tried to overthrow that government while chanted hang Mike Pence and beating the hell out of 140 police officers? I will never forget!
She also bragged about how she rode in the limo with Trump. To me she looks weak and not willing to put up the fight that we need in Congress. Young people know how to get out there on social media and get out the vote. Look how many young people we lost to Trump or that just didn't bother to vote.
Jeff Merkley or Ron Wyden. James McGovern or Jason Crow for the house leadership
I live in Oregon and while my Senators are doing good things, Wyden is not well liked among progressives, and there are other people stronger than Merkley. I would like to see Jasmine Crockett on the list. She is way smarter than she appears at first glance.
I dunno. Crockett appears damn smart to me. But either way, yes, excellent suggestion.
Could not agree more!
Well you can't blame him for the phone lines - that's on all of us (yay!), but you could also email if you are a direct local constituent (a system that stinks), and use Xitter, FB, and (I don't know if he's on) Bluesky. You are absolutely right though that the older dogs in the kennel simply cannot seem to find their fight.
Agreed. A suggestion, though: It is quite a long list and the average American probably wouldn't be able to put a name or face to even the actual cabinet member responsible for certain political decisions in most cases. Even less so a shadow cabinet member.
So in order to not dilute the message and the impact it might be helpful to scale the number of messengers down to perhaps five or six. As we have learned the hard way it is not the information you convey which counts, it is solely communication, communication and again communication.
The best communicator hands down is Pete Buttigieg. He has a firm grasp of the issues in many fields, comes across as serious and credible, for one of the latest examples watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=568Uub2G7CI
Here he spoke before a sympathetic, approving crowd. But time and again he has proven that he can reach voters on the other side of the aisle.
Let's be realistic, of course. Forming a shadow cabinet will be eyed by many DC Democrats with suspicion or as a welcome opportunity to jockey for a pole position for the 2028 primaries. One can only hope that in the interest of forming a powerful and successful team personal ambitions will be shelved – at least for the time being.
I don't know why it should be a problem. They routinely do that in the UK.
Yes, I was going to say as well -- it's roughly a mirror system of the UK. And they are human beings. It's a great idea however it emerges. But without a tradition of time allotment and media ecosystem, they are truly probably up to their ears right now trying to figure out how to stop this monstrosity.
Also, leaving it to a handful doesn't allow Dems to showcase all their strength. Even this board has different ideas of whom they favor.
Maybe it will unify them. Fingers crossed.
Perhaps personal ambitions should be shelved; on the other hand perhaps talent, charisma, messaging skills, etc. should be showcased. Dems have a wide bench, but who among them (save Bernie) has any national recognition or avid following? Let's not hide our potential LEDs--Pritzker, Polis, Beshear, Moore, Newsome, Whitmer--under a bushel basket.
Agree that your idea and list of people for the shadow cabinet is excellent! Let’s go! Get the idea out there.
Yes, let's all do OUR part to get the idea out there and AMPLIFY today's column! We are all in this together.
Sorry, but it wasn't totally clear to me from the above post whether you were suggesting a course of action for all of us to take or just telling Robert to do so.
I've been seeing far too many comments in the Substacks I read that start with "Democrats need to..." which prompts me to want to ask - and what are YOU doing? (if not already included in their comment)
Great idea! After Timothy Snyder (On Tyranny) proposed this, a petition was started to support the idea. Hopefully it can give folks who can be "in the room where it happens" support to push for the Shadow Cabinet. Please >repost< and sign this petition- over 6K signers so far!
www.change.org/shadowcabinet
Elevating this petition. I donated $50 to improve visibility!
Wonderful! Reposting and sending to friends is great too…
Done! I posted on my personal Substack :)
Me too! Signed and donated!
Robert has a great list for a shadow cabinet. Spread the word! I started something on BlueSky:
https://bsky.app/profile/elliekona.bsky.social/post/3lhsx4m7aac26
Feel free to repost.
Could you send this to Rachel Maddow? She has a big megaphone. If she could get this idea going, on air, maybe it will get more traction?
I quote posted Ellie's and cc'd Rachel, Lawrence O'Donnell, and Meidas Touch
Great idea!!!!
I'm not good at bluesky yet, but it looked like I only re-posted "group 2." I didn't see a way to repost group 1.
Group 1 was included further down. I think you reposted both. I did.
That link isn't working for me.
Agree Robert. Thank you!! Citizens need to act. It’s up to us now.
1. We can encourage the Dems to step up but we can’t and shouldn’t count on them to do so. It’s up to us.
2. Citizens are going to have to lead this and I believe you can feel this starting to happen. Apathy and disengagement is abundant, they are our challenge. We need to pull others out of it, to help get them engaged. It’s up to us.
3. I support several efforts such as former Repub Congressman Joe Walsh’s The Social Contract and others. Find an effective effort, engage in it, engage others. It’s up to us.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-social-contract-with-joe-walsh/id1590913798
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1PfS6nBr1x/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Join Indivisible - a powerful nationwide organization, already effective!
I’m glad to see you listed Indivisible. It is a credible group and easy for seniors to use! Thanks!!
Love the shadow cabinet - we really need this!!
A “Shadow Cabinet” is clever.
However I suggest that they come up with a better name. One of the flashpoints before the Civil War was that Americans thought they were real power behind the King, similar to what Musk is to Trump.
Timothy Snyder is now using "People's Cabinet."
People's Cabinet is a better name.
"Shadow cabinet" sounds kind of badass, but it suggests illicitness.
I think Jasmine Crockett needs to be there. She is a lot smarter than people think.
1.WE CREATE THE SHADOW CABINET. If one of these reps is yours, CALL THEM TODAY and every day and tell them to form an organized opposition and be loud. Maybe call them even if they aren’t your rep and say how much you appreciate them getting loud.
2. Call Jeffries (202) 225-5936 and Schumer’s(202) 224-6542 and tell them to DO THIS NOW.
3. Consider Quaker Meetings. There is no officiant. Everyone takes a turn. We can have a leaderless resistance if we all of us take part at some level. We are the leaders in our grassroots movements. The Dems on the inside have little power, but they are doing what they can. Everyone needs to participate
4 Join your local Indivisible group and Dem party. WE need to wake up the Dems from the ground up. Indivisible is great and we should bring some of that energy to the Dems.
5Take care of yourself, breathe, gather in community, find joy. Then do it all again
We are all in this together and we will keep fighting!
When I call my representative's office today (Deborah Ross, NC), I will urge the shadow cabinet idea be implemented. Is there any website that lists of all the local and national protests/actions that are planned for the coming week (and beyond)? That is a needed resource.
Yes! There needs to be a clearing house for all of the planned actions so people can schedule as well as check when they have an opening and pick something up in the moment. I saw people who said they had not known about the protest outside the Treasury, for instance. When USAID met outside the RR building I don't think everyone knew about that, just for example.
I will send Professor Snyders idea and your list to my two Democratic Senators.
I totally agree with Eloise! It is a fabulous idea and I love all of those people you recommended for the Shadow Cabinet. Thank you. Can you recommend ways to get this going? It's time!
PLEASE ADD JASMINE CROCKETT TO THE SHADOW CABINET YOU PROPOSED. SHE IS OUT THERE INTERVIEWING AND SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER.
Jasmine Crockett is a powerhouse. She's not afraid and has been speaking out.
AOC and Jasmine Crockett!!
AOC is on Robert's list
I see. I think she should be on there and Crockett too. I did not see her, but she has been very visible otherwise.
Jasmine Crockett is a very smart lady, and the fighter that we need.
Oh Robert! Please get lots of rest, and I hope you can recover quickly from "being sick as a dog!"
(it's a strange idiom, as I can't imagine how sick a dog can be)
You have proposed a great list of suggested people for the shadow cabinet. Let's post that list far and wide and see what happens next! I've restacked.
Thank you for keeping us inspired. Get well soon!
In addition to the shadow cabinet, I would like to see a list of five Senators and four representatives who should leave the GOP caucus , become independents, force a new vote on speaker of the House and majority leader of the Senate, and proceed to impeach Bessent, Hegseth, Bondi, and Vought. And .Noem. Explain to the country and the people of their States that these people pose a direct threat to their economic survival and health and freedom. Put ICE and the military on notice that they have duties to the Constitution. Get the Congresspeople to go public with the threats placed against their families.
The litmus test will already come up this week with the vote on the confirmation of Kash Patel. He is the poster child for trump's efforts to dismantle the judicial system and the rule of law. This would be (the last?) opportunity for MAGA Senators that they are not rubber stamping current efforts to lay waste to the republic.
The Republicans really liked Kash Patel for some reason which is weird because so many on the enemy list are in the GOP.. I think it is over on the nominations. They apparently can only stand up if the GOP is no longer in control of the chamber. Their excuse afterward should be that the nominees lied about their oath to the Constitution and rule of law. I know this is crazy, but it really is needed to avoid a Stalinist system for the rest of my life, so I just throw it out there.
Senate list should start with Murkowski, Collins, Sullivan, and Rand Paul.
I fear there is no hope for Collins.
Me too, but we need five. We have to consider Fetterman has decided to become a Dino-gop.
Rand Paul??
Good for reading and catching. :). Sometimes libertarians have principles. I forgot Mitch McConnell. He got us into this mess, and doesn’t have much to lose. I also think any female and Black and Latino senators should join as well.
I don’t know what’s up with McConnell but he’s definitely not all there anymore.
Cowards and collaborators. Although Murkowski still has part of a spine
McConnell
I'm convinced there are threats. I don't think fear of losing their job is the whole threat, especially with those older Senators. I have looked at their Xitter feeds in order to urge resistance on them and the ugliness is shocking. GOP who resist get way way more violent threats and disgusting really personal insults than Dems who resist. I also expect they are not only told by Elon he'll pay to see them primaried, but he'll see them ruined for life, which he could easily do and would probably enjoy. If they'd go public with threats it might help but it might not. We need five GOP but that first tiny resistance evaporated pretty fast. . .
Not only is that a fine list for a Shadow Cabinet, but whoever can jump-start this cabinet into a living organism shouldn't wait and debate for a better list. For this, I suggest a play from 47 regime's playbook: shoot first, and then aim. We've already got superior reps.
I just listened to Klobuchar last night on a podcast: she's sharp, experienced, tuned into the moment and has gravitas to push things in the right direction. Perfect to give AOC the role we wanted her to win. Add consumer fraud to Elizabeth Warren -- CFPB is her baby, and also something I feel strongly about. Outstanding to include talented Ben Wikler in this, too, because it also releases some of the tension felt by his DNC loss to Ken Martin. Maybe add Sheldon Whitehouse on Dark Money and environmental regulation. Also consider a Shadow Cabinet coordinator or organizer position (also D rep): reps may be willing, but not know what / when / where to appear in a new endeavor.
The gestalt of this effort is to get Dem ideas out in the public sphere, however it reassembles itself in 2025. We have the talent, but the narrative must be recaptured, shaped and vigorously promoted, and quickly. I'm reminded of the old Honda commercial, where the cars would sell themselves. In this rapacious environment, *anything* is better than what Trump/Musk/2025 is selling, but we can and need to do better. I'm coming to the conclusion that the back end is the courts. Enough cases will run their course to help hold democracy in the face of continual assaults.
I'm feeling the overwhelm, and I sincerely hope Robert recuperates soon.
Sheldon Whitehouse is a great suggestion. His knowledge of Supreme Court shenanigans is deep and substantive - and he is unafraid to speak out.
Exactly re: Whitehouse. His nominee hearing slots were about as good as it gets for minority party grilling.
Whitehouse has a perfect manner about him. He explains complicated issues in a way that even I can understand it.
As for Klobuchar, why did she vote for any of his nominees?
Probably because their strategy was to focus firepower on the most dangerous / highest profile nominees. They are in the minority this term and they cannot change that.
But, she didn't need to vote for _any_ of them. I was disappointed about how relaxed she seemed on inauguration day when she had the role of accompanying the two presidents in limo and to various events. I don't completely trust her to take what is happening as way beyond normal politics.
I suggest you listen to the podcast with I believe Daily Beast that I mention. She explains exactly what and why she did during the inauguration -- that position was assigned 12 months before the inauguration. She was doing her job. It's fine if you don't like her, but it is really not helping Dems to focus your ire on Dems now, as Rs continue their flagrantly unauthorized coup.
It's okay to discuss the whys and disappointments and gather opinions on Dems, and if there is any appropriate place to do it it's within a forum where the discussion that has been invited is supposed to be on who could play which role.
I'm moving toward the Klobuchar Fan Club, though my first choice for that position would be Elizabeth Warren.
I am so disappointed in my senator Klobuchar. I was disgusted the way she acted on inauguration day. Bragging about riding in the limo with Trump sitting by him and laughing it up like they were besties. Has she forgotten about the insurrection? I sure haven't. She should have never voted for any of Trumps nominees. She looks weak, and needs to remember that bipartisanship is dead. I have called her several times so hopefully she's realizing she needs to fight more for us.
I often think they make a mistake to act like it's a situation where voting for one nominee gains them some sort of credence or extra ability to vote against someone else. The Rs rarely play any game that way - for them the goal is all the wins all the time and it's an unlimited zero sum game.
Thank you for your continued reflections on our crisis. I count on your newsletter for information and direction.
Like many others I'm trying to counteract the horrendous situation we're in: I make calls daily, have visited our senators' offices, I'm on the steering committee of our local Indivisible group. It's not enough for this steamrolling of our democracy.
I hope the shadow cabinet ideas takes off. I hope people participate in the economic boycott scheduled for Feb 28.
I appreciate every person who is fighting to save our country.
We are in this together. We have each other.
Thank you
Hey, Dee. I thought I was up-to-date on everything, but missed the economic boycott. Are you able to provide details?
Hi Lynell,
I just found out about this yesterday. I don't know anything more than what's on this link. Hoping it's a grassroots effort that takes off. Thank you and keep resisting... Dee
https://www.facebook.com/reel/491981810616274
This was the general message I saw on a number of sites.
ECONOMIC BLACKOUT on FEBRUARY 28, 2025
TAKE PART AND SHARE THE NEWS
If you haven't heard, there will be an ECONOMIC BLACKOUT, February 28th, nationwide. This means don't buy ANYTHING unless it's from a small local business: No gas, no fast food, and definitely nothing from places like Target, Walmart, or Amazon. Get the word out! We want THEM to see that WE have the power. We will start with 1 day, then 3, then specific companies until our message is heard.
I like the one day then three then specific companies part... Is everyone supposed to stay off FB too? I wish they'd add that. If the logged on figures dropped dramatically they'd probably notice.
So ironic that it’s on Facebook but hey let’s use their own tools to get them and pay attention
I was going to drop Facebook but now I think what I need to do is use it to put out whatever I find that I want others to see.
Thank you for this. I will spread the word in my small way.
I’m done with Facebook. Is there another way to share the info?
Can you post on BlueSky please? Many of us are boycotting Facebook. I've deleted mine.
Dee, I don’t know about the 2.28 boycott. How do I get info? Thanks.
Hi Janet,
This is the info I have- limited, I know!
https://www.facebook.com/reel/491981810616274
How about blue states that give more than they take from the federal govt holding our federal tax payments in escrow until our funds are being properly dispersed by the federal govt?? Thank you and feel better soon!!!!!
Our lone KY (deep red state) Democratic Congressman, Morgan Mcgarvey, led a STOP ELON rally in Louisville on Saturday. An over-capacity crowd showed up and were spurred on by union co-speakers to agitate, agitate, agitate! I echo Robert's call to use the tools provided by Jessica Craven and 5 calls. Show up at your Senators' local offices. Organize to have a steady stream of people showing up (we organized for 2 people to show up every 45 minutes). McGarvey also encouraged us to get active in the 3 special election House races...send donations, join phone banking/text banking/postcarding/door knocking efforts. Towards the end of the rally the message was sent, national strikes have worked before...it might be time
Yes, the unions are a force to be reckoned with that they ever recognize how much trouble they’re going to be in.
Awesome! A rally in KY- shocking we did not hear about that!!🙄
Yes. I hold out hope for the special elections to at least move margins enough to scare the Rs... and obviously I secretly also hope for at least one win. Remember when Warnock and Ossoff won? That was a major reprieve.
On a different note, look tomorrow for a new contextual article by Jay Kuo. I wanted to post a great response of Kuo's (a seasoned attorney, which I am not) to a reader tonight, for it really encapsulates a sense of how to focus energy well re: courts and calls, and not get too discouraged. Very supportive. Edit: and here's the new JK today! https://statuskuo.substack.com/p/blunting-their-attacks
Kuo said last night:
"It's helpful to keep things in perspective. We know what the DOGE folks have attempted and where they have been stopped. We know what Trump is trying to do to freeze federal assistance and US foreign aid, and where he has been sued and stopped in some cases. These questions are likely to be decided while he goes about trying to do other illegal, unconstitutional things. But there is a vigilance now, and the more Musk tries, the deeper shit he will be in at this point, given how judges have already ruled against him. Worrying about what Trump or Musk might do isn't going to lower anybody's blood pressure for sure! Know that everything they attempt from here on will 1) be as illegal as what they've tried, and 2) be pounced on immediately by lawyers. There are some 40 lawsuits already. I suggest leaving the worrying to the folks on the front lines and supporting them as best we can through donations, and by calling our representatives to urge them to take a stand."
Lawsuits are all fine and good, but if this regime decides to ignore them, (and even the SC), then they are useless.
I keep saying this until I'm blue in the face, so maybe consult an attorney? No, lawsuits aren't useless if and when they disobey. They may be the very thing that saves us in the long run. To be concerned about how that would work, and what the next steps are, is OK. Uttering blanket discouragement before they can do their critical work, especially if you do not know procedure and recourse with the 42 current cases filed, helps nobody.
I too am discouraged about enforcement and disgusted at the lack. Since Trump and Elon know they are breaking the law and continue to do so regardless, we are reminded we not only have a balance of powers which can behave in a somewhat oppositional way (when they have the will to do so) but an inter-knit supportive system where our judicial portion only renders opinions and we rely on our executive to see the laws of the legislative branch are faithfully enforced as interpreted by the judicial branch. In that way no one branch is sufficient without the others, yet our current supreme executive tries to make, change and break laws and the Constitution, ignores the judicial branch verdicts, and certainly isn't going to enforce decisions against himself. So long as he is seen as the legitimate head of the executive branch other enforcement bodies aren't going to move to do so either.
The right wing propaganda machine (the most vehement being R representatives) is saying all of this is necessary and even delightful - apparently not minding the loss of their power. We run the risk of the public believing that, since our news has become so skewed... but they do report the judicial decisions which fit right into their easy horse race templates.
Even unenforced, the court decisions do three things: State unequivocally that this is against the law, set an expectation of compliance with the courts which is still a part of our national psyche and thus arouses indignation when court decisions are defied, and sets an example of defiance and bravery to show it can be done, and survived.
So yes to both. I'm discouraged at the lack of an easy fix where the US Marshall swoops down and arrests Elon, Bessent restores all funding at least until such time as the House can revise the budget if they want to do so, and maybe Capitol Security better regulates who accesses where in which buildings, but I also think that even unenforced court cases are helping enormously.
I think this is a "must read" piece from Jay Kuo. Senators Brian Schatz and Andy Kim are at the top of my New Heroes list. They are doing what the entire Democratic party should be doing. In every phone call we need to use Sen. Kim's "Just say no."
I know some of you in this group also like sending thank you postcards so here are the addresses for you. I always say a postcard is going to be touched by more hands while an email and phone message are touched only once.
Remember, Sen. Kim, then a Representative, on 1/6 stayed in the rotunda and helped sweep up the trash left behind.
Sen. Brian Schatz, 300 Ala Moana Blvd. #7-212, Honolulu, HI 96850
Sen. Andy Kim, Harborside 3, 210 Hudson St. #1000, Jersey City, NY 07311
Thank you!
"All because a 19-year-old software engineer is incapable of imagining the human suffering that reckless cuts will cause." That's because the kids are playing with "data", and don't perceive it as messing with actual lives.
The DNC chair should be Chief of Staff for the Shadow Cabinet and herd the cats into concerted action.
Get well soon. This was a remarkable letter and we need more like it.
Obviously none of us know, but it's quite likely Elon found these six young people because they already had an affinity for ignoring suffering and getting high on power and money. Elon and six young people... needed 7 million dollars for their work on our federal programs and data over the first week or two. I don't give them a pass for being young. I was young once and I could have understood there were lives behind that data.
You may be right, such people are certainly out there. My comment was based on a concern that if one spends an inordinate amount of time interacting electronically one can lose sight of the reality behind the screen.
Even more fundamental than the constitutional right to elect a governing group is the integrity of our word. The constitution itself is composed in words. If words themselves are meaningless, if the gravity of promising is compromised, if our speaking is of no consequence to ourselves then what difference does any document make?
The power of our constitution, the words by which we literally constitute our being together, lays exclusively in the honor each one of us brings to his or her speaking and the listening or grace we grant to our own speaking or the listening we grant to others.
Without this foundation of honoring our word and the word of others, we have no common ground.
Paradoxically, it is only in being bound by our word that we can find freedom. Freedom from being duty bound by honor opens the way to the tyranny of right by might and the laws of the jungle where kill or be killed rules.
The choice to be bound by our word lives in each and every moment. The power of our word is determined by our ongoing commitment to speak truthfully.
Recognize the power of each and every one your words and use them only for good
Robert. Shadow cabinet. I agree. All those you appointed- Brilliant!
And wishing you a speedy recovery from your cold and thank you!
How about blue states holding our federal payments in escrow
While that's a tempting idea, it would set a terrible precedent for the country's future. If the debt ceiling-as-hostage is any indication, individual states withholding taxes to punish other states or executive will quickly escalate into a forever tax war.
Quakers were old hands at tax resistance. If my taxes are going into Elon's and Donald's pockets why would I pay them?
Maybe it's time for the Tax Resistor's League to rise up.
I’m wondering what our recourse is if our tax funds are being misappropriated - I’d rather my state hold the funds and if necessary use them to provide important services that the federal govt may unconstitutionally stop funding. I’m not an attorney and would love to understand how this works.
Red and blue are purple in most places so it couldn't be done at a state level. But what about on an individual level, on a massive scale, i.e., a national tax strike? Would that be possible? I just can't see writing a check to the government until the government is restored.
I am an American citizen and retired USAF officer living in Germany. I am regularly in contact with my Congressional representative and my Senator (one of my state's senators is now trying to cope with his new responsibilities as Secretary of State). I don't use FB or X/Twitter. I am on BlueSky & support many sites here on Substack. Up until my latest political donation on Jan 12 2025, I've donated over the past two election cycles to many Democrats running for crucial Senate and House seats and to Vice President Harris' campaign. This was never a problem as I provided my passport number to verify I was entitled to make such donations. Since Jan 20th I can no longer make political donations. The info I got from ActBlue is that "To process a political donation through the ActBlue platform, an individual must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and donate from the U.S.” That is to say, the three million plus U.S. citizens living abroad are having their right to support the candidates of their choice taken from them. Is anyone aware of what is behind this?
Thank you for sharing this. I hadn’t heard about it and it’s ominous.
It is. Especially since all was working fine on 12 January. The next time I tried to make a donation (a few days ago, but after 20 January) was when I noticed it.
Note that donations also failed when I tried making them directly and without going through ActBlue.
Dan, that's terrible. Some hare-brained member of Act Blue needs to be questioned by our representatives in Congress. Spread the word as you are. Have you spoken to your rep?
Not on this subject. I‘m from the Panhandle, so I‘m sure he thinks it’s a good thing.
Texas? The U.S. has 9 panhandles I read. Virginia has two.
Sorry. I used to live in Texas, so I should've known to be more specific. Florida. The next district over from Max Gates' old stomping grounds. Just as red though.
I don't know what's going on with that, though I also used to live in Germany. It could be a payment server compliance issue that changed, and not ActBlue itself. Or it might have something to do with voter suppression in the new regime, whether it was entered legally or not. It does sound strange.
I‘ve also tried donating to the candidates directly. That also doesn’t work. Of course, I ordered something on line to make sure it wasn’t my card, and those order payments were o.k. Though I have my bank in the States, my billing address is in Germany. I sure hope I hear something from DA or the ACLU.
I wrote Democrats abroad and the ACLU with all the details. I hope they come back with some information.
Nope! I got the info from ActBlue‘s own FAQ page.
Yes to this alternative cabinet!! Let’s find the right name. Shadow sounds negative. Something like checks and balances but smoother sounding. My call today to my senators and congresswoman will include this idea of an alternative cabinet. Let’s get Heather Cox Richardson to weigh in on this idea.
Shadow cabinet is an official term, used extensively in the UK by the largest party out of power. I think it works. See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_cabinet
Timothy Snyder is using the name "People's Cabinet" now.
Pam, I don't believe he is. Change.Org is.
The People’s Cabinet?
Yes, the People's cabinet suggested by, I believe, Change.ORG. is. The Shadow cabinet is a 24/7 job. Our legislators need to spend their time finding ways to bring tRump's cabinet members to justice. People that can think on their feet and are articulate like Obama, Buttigieg and the like could do this job of following members of tRump's cabinet, criticizing their lies etc. Former retired Governors, Military leaders, reporters and journalists would fit this position as well.
Robert, one notable exception. I nominate Jasmine Crockett (Congresswoman from Texas) as our Communications Director and internal Asskicker for motivation.