What Just Happened? Why? and Some Good News. No Really…

What Happened and Why?

At a couple of speaking events this weekend, I fielded a set of questions, all with a similar theme. I am also received nonstop DMs, emails/texts. They all tend to be something like this: “Why on earth would these Dem Senate leaders roll over on the continuing resolution and support a bill that would give Trump and Musk more power?”

First, I should note, this is the first time I have ever supported shutting down the government and truly, it is never a good idea. It has significant effects on the elderly, children and lower income folks. It is awful. I have never supported a shut down until now. However, we are in desperate times. We are in the midst of an oligarchy taking over our government. As Senator Chris Murphy, whom I believe should replace Chuck Schumer as minority leader, has said a few times recently, "If we engage in business as usual, this democracy could be gone.” He went on to indicate that “this takeover is now down to months, not years. "

I agree. We must fight now, not later. We could lose everything. To be clear we need everybody to rise up.

I believe the number one reason the 10 senators who voted with the Republicans to support this vile budget is simple: Money. In politics, it always comes down to this. Senators Schumer, Durbin, Schatz, Gillibrand, Cortez-Masto, Fetterman, Peters, Hassan, Shaheen and King are all beholden to and bullied by corporate PACs, AIPAC and wealthy individual donors.

The second reason is Schumer, and his gang are tired, sick of fighting and some are just simply not up for the fight.

Thirdly, they think if we just appease these right-wing fascists, that somehow, they will be gentler or more reasonable in the future.

Newsflash: Bullies don’t back down and never become reasonable.

You may also ask, “what were these senators’ reasons for voting for it?” Most indicated in some form or fashion that 1.” A shutdown would be hard on folks receiving government services and federal employees everywhere” (true). 2. “At least we know how the cuts will be administered and how deep they will be” (untrue, neither Musk or Trump or DOGE are following any rules, so this is moot) 3. A reduction in workforce could happen in a shutdown (it already is happening everywhere and again there are no rules, so giving in does nothing).

To be clear, the shutdown fight was our only leverage and now we have lost it.
What is the Effect of This Capitulation on Trump, Musk and His Merry Band of Fascists?
Trump and Musk now know we will roll over every time and take a beating. Further, if you don’t even try, you not only show you are weak and afraid, but you also harm further negotiations.
Further, Trump, now, with the passage of this insane CR, has been empowered to have free reign with tariffs with no oversight from Congress, he can spend the amounts suggested in the bill in any fashion because there are no instructions on line items for individual spending/cutting, and there are no controls listed.

To add insult to injury, this CR codifies all of the horrifying and capricious reductions and eliminations by DOGE to date and makes them lawful. It also, gives Hegseth blanket authority over Department of Defense spending.
So now, we have established our Dem Leadership is weak, the Dem Senate betrayed the American people as well as their colleagues in the House. Not great folks.

Is There any Good or maybe “Good-ish” News?

Yes!

-Chief Justice John Roberts is finally pushing back. This is a big deal.
-Our coalition of State Attorneys General have been rock-star-successful:

• In almost 2/3 of the lawsuits, the AGs have successfully pushed Trump/DOGE back
• They were ready for this moment and prepared
• More actions are planned

-AOC, Bernie Sanders, Tim Walz, Ro Khanna and Mark Pocan are all holding town halls in red districts and states (this is how we get disenfranchised folks back!)

• This is exactly how we do it. We go to rural areas and listen to folks’ needs and then plan our solutions accordingly.
• Ken Martin and the DNC are going to rural areas, finally
• We have not been to all fifty states in over 20 years, Ken has a plan and is successfully executing a 50 state, small city and rural strategy. Woo-hoo!

-The Boycotts are working

• Target had losses over $ 16 Billion last month and on pace for the same
• Tesla stock is down more than 50%
• Amazon has experienced a dip in stock (more pressure needed here)

Protests are working! More than 3 million folks have been activated across the nation!
Tesla Takedowns are getting folks pretty excited and are working
As I have said many time, nobody is coming to save us, we will save us.
Very Important to Note: Indivisible is organizing a nationwide event called “Hands Off” on April 5th . It will be unprecedented in size, volume and scope. Please join in: https://handsoff2025.com/

Everyday To-dos:

-Keep telling your story of how the cuts and fascism affect your family and their specific needs.
-Do what works for you. I am speaking at townhalls and activist events to share what works and what doesn’t. I also do my weekly diet of calls to Republicans and Dems as well as my monthly protests. Make some commitments to yourself about activating and be accountable. Put it in your calendar. Make your calls, boycotts and show up. Consistency is important.
-Boycotts don’t require any work, just don’t shop at Amazon, Tesla, Home Depot, Target and all the rest of the Fascist Capitulators. Be consistent.

This is do-able folks. It is just long, hard and tedious at times. Keep going!

Have a great week folks,
M
Authors Note: A 25% Discount on my new book (debut was yesterday) is available for my paid Substack subscribers and has been extended by my publisher until April 1st : For those folks who are current paid subscribers and for those who become paid subscribers before 5pm on 4/1/25, my publisher is offering a 25% discount to my new book, A Life Made From Scratch, a personal story of everyday activism and politics. Become a paid subscriber here: