All of this, Emily! Thank you!!! And for those living in blue states (I'm in CA), we still have to speak up, call our representatives, put pressure on all of them AND talk to one another! Don't take for granted that we are currently blue and have 2 Dem Senators!
I used to teach all about the rise and fall of Hitler when I taught middle school and high school. I just want you to know that this succinct description of these historical moments would have been required reading in my classroom today if I was still in that role. I’ve been yelling about the parallels for forever and was told I was hysterical in the 2016 cycle. Thank you for making me feel less insane and for consistently and clearly informing us all.
The parallels have been evident forever and it's terrifying. The media & celebrity culture made this monster (Page 6 celebrity coverage in the 1980s-- like his love life was important; The Apprentice, etc.). We're going to need media to help UNmake him, too.
Called my (blue state) senators and rep today (again) call volume is high - this is awesome! They need to hear from us, they need to know we support their actions against this attempt to destroy our country.
Question: What are you calling your rep about? I've called my senators but haven't been sure what to ask my rep for specifically. Would love some ideas!
My rep is a (D) and I just thanked them and still told them my concerns. I told them that I knew only the senate had confirmation powers, but that I wanted to express my concerns to all my members of congress.
I said the same thing I said to my senators which was “I am worried and outraged by this action from an unelected private individual and I need for him to take action immediately to slow or stop it.” (Also mentioned I both donated and campaigned for this particular person and I supported him but needed him to be louder)
If people are nervous about calling they can download the free app ‘5 calls’ to easily reach out to representatives and tell them how you feel. The app has all the phone numbers for each state and even scripts to read if you need guidance. It’s helped people make over 4 million calls. Put your unhappiness into action! Please share the word.
I also really appreciated the legal framing. Jon Stewart in his weekly podcast said recently that, regardless of what how we feel about Trump's actions, they've operated within the confines of our system of government, to which I thought, "That's how they sometimes start!" Rare historical myopia from Stewart. I'm glad you provided context for that precedent.
Thank you for the action list! Seems Trump and the broligarchs are carrying out Curtis Yarvin's "The Butterfly Revolution" (which they've posted about in the past), where Trump is largely a figurehead and Musk is the appointed CEO running things and doing whatever he wants.
Calling everyone today!! When learning about the rise of Nazi Germany I always wondered how I would have reacted if I was living it, I do not want to be on the wrong side of history and be silently complicit in the destruction of this country. Thank you for guiding us and giving us the information!!
I’ve been calling my state attorney general to ask him to join lawsuit against Elon Musk accessing our social security numbers and to join lawsuit against the federal funding freeze. My state AG (NC) actually did join the lawsuits:) I’ve been calling my state reps about local issues in NC. There are some bills here to limit early voting, stop our attorney general from being able to sue over executive orders, and to take away governor’s power to grant clemency to death row inmates. I started following our NC state dem party leader and local indivisible group. They have been super helpful about state information.
Are there any specific instances of grabbing-state's-powers that it would be good to say in a call\ to my state governor and AGs? I don't live in New York (where the government said they would override their congestion pricing) and I live in a red state, so I'm wondering if there are general power grabs that affect all states.
I’m not sure if it’s all the calls (hopefully!) but even the outgoing message on voicemails at my senators’ offices are glitchy—called everyone today again though. The Democratic Party in my state (Utah) is so absent—their volunteer link is broken and their site hasn’t had an update since the end of December when Carter died. So frustrating.
Tried to call my Republican Senators at their local and national offices. Immediately directed to a recorded message that was very garbled / unintelligible. Others in my area are experiencing the same issue.
I don't think this is isolated to republican senators. Schiff's office this morning was super garbled. I was unable to leave a message, but his voicemail has been full for days. Padilla's was totally fine though so I'm not sure what's going on with the phones.
I got the garbled recording for both Schiff and Padilla this morning. Who controls phone lines for their DC offices? Is that paid for by federal funds? Made me wonder if another control tactic might be blocking the public from contacting their reps…
5 calls is great, I often don't think their scripts are sufficiently pointed enough. I offer my own ideas. If you want to use it, go for it! Just do something.
I've called both of my senators today, once regarding the muskrat and just now regarding Patel, Gabbard, Vought and Kennedy. The latter I had to leave a voicemail for but the former, I actually got through to someone this morning
All of this, Emily! Thank you!!! And for those living in blue states (I'm in CA), we still have to speak up, call our representatives, put pressure on all of them AND talk to one another! Don't take for granted that we are currently blue and have 2 Dem Senators!
I used to teach all about the rise and fall of Hitler when I taught middle school and high school. I just want you to know that this succinct description of these historical moments would have been required reading in my classroom today if I was still in that role. I’ve been yelling about the parallels for forever and was told I was hysterical in the 2016 cycle. Thank you for making me feel less insane and for consistently and clearly informing us all.
The parallels have been evident forever and it's terrifying. The media & celebrity culture made this monster (Page 6 celebrity coverage in the 1980s-- like his love life was important; The Apprentice, etc.). We're going to need media to help UNmake him, too.
Called my (blue state) senators and rep today (again) call volume is high - this is awesome! They need to hear from us, they need to know we support their actions against this attempt to destroy our country.
Question: What are you calling your rep about? I've called my senators but haven't been sure what to ask my rep for specifically. Would love some ideas!
The app 5 calls will give you actions and scripts! It’s a great resource if you’re not sure what to call about or say.
Love this app! Trying to also spread the word. Especially great for those who are nervous calling.
Told mine to vote no on the upcoming appointments of patel RFK Gabbard and Vought. Emily usually shares in her IG Stories what to call about.
My rep is a (D) and I just thanked them and still told them my concerns. I told them that I knew only the senate had confirmation powers, but that I wanted to express my concerns to all my members of congress.
I said the same thing I said to my senators which was “I am worried and outraged by this action from an unelected private individual and I need for him to take action immediately to slow or stop it.” (Also mentioned I both donated and campaigned for this particular person and I supported him but needed him to be louder)
I live is Massachusetts, is it still worth me calling my senators and AG?
Yes, absolutly. They need to know their constituents want them to act.
If people are nervous about calling they can download the free app ‘5 calls’ to easily reach out to representatives and tell them how you feel. The app has all the phone numbers for each state and even scripts to read if you need guidance. It’s helped people make over 4 million calls. Put your unhappiness into action! Please share the word.
Somehow both comprehensive and succinct. Way to organize the chaos and dole out a little bit of hope in the process. Excellent work, Emily. Thank you.
Thank you!
I also really appreciated the legal framing. Jon Stewart in his weekly podcast said recently that, regardless of what how we feel about Trump's actions, they've operated within the confines of our system of government, to which I thought, "That's how they sometimes start!" Rare historical myopia from Stewart. I'm glad you provided context for that precedent.
Thank you for the action list! Seems Trump and the broligarchs are carrying out Curtis Yarvin's "The Butterfly Revolution" (which they've posted about in the past), where Trump is largely a figurehead and Musk is the appointed CEO running things and doing whatever he wants.
Calling everyone today!! When learning about the rise of Nazi Germany I always wondered how I would have reacted if I was living it, I do not want to be on the wrong side of history and be silently complicit in the destruction of this country. Thank you for guiding us and giving us the information!!
You can find your representative and senators here: https://www.congress.gov/contact-us
Hey Emily! Would communicate with state officials (governor, attorney general, state Senate/reps) be advisable?
I’ve been calling my state attorney general to ask him to join lawsuit against Elon Musk accessing our social security numbers and to join lawsuit against the federal funding freeze. My state AG (NC) actually did join the lawsuits:) I’ve been calling my state reps about local issues in NC. There are some bills here to limit early voting, stop our attorney general from being able to sue over executive orders, and to take away governor’s power to grant clemency to death row inmates. I started following our NC state dem party leader and local indivisible group. They have been super helpful about state information.
Are there any specific instances of grabbing-state's-powers that it would be good to say in a call\ to my state governor and AGs? I don't live in New York (where the government said they would override their congestion pricing) and I live in a red state, so I'm wondering if there are general power grabs that affect all states.
They are about to take away all the funding states get from the feds for education!
I’m not sure if it’s all the calls (hopefully!) but even the outgoing message on voicemails at my senators’ offices are glitchy—called everyone today again though. The Democratic Party in my state (Utah) is so absent—their volunteer link is broken and their site hasn’t had an update since the end of December when Carter died. So frustrating.
Tried to call my Republican Senators at their local and national offices. Immediately directed to a recorded message that was very garbled / unintelligible. Others in my area are experiencing the same issue.
I don't think this is isolated to republican senators. Schiff's office this morning was super garbled. I was unable to leave a message, but his voicemail has been full for days. Padilla's was totally fine though so I'm not sure what's going on with the phones.
Both my D reps had gargled recorded messages. Still was able to leave voicemails though
I got the garbled recording for both Schiff and Padilla this morning. Who controls phone lines for their DC offices? Is that paid for by federal funds? Made me wonder if another control tactic might be blocking the public from contacting their reps…
Tim Kaine's was the same today!
I was able to speak with staffers at smaller local offices this afternoon.
Same thing has been happening for me in NC the past two days (maybe we are in the same state).
I am in TX. I was eventually able to speak to staffers in their smaller rural state offices. Wishing you luck on making your voice heard!
Write letters. That's good too; and you can send an email through most of reps' websites, but I don't know how effective that is.
Do we have to call separately for voting no on each terrible candidate? Or can we do all in 1 call?
I believe all in one call will suffice. The person who answers will record your opinion. (please someone correct me if I'm wrong!)
I came across 5calls.org and it made it easy to find my representatives
5 calls is great, I often don't think their scripts are sufficiently pointed enough. I offer my own ideas. If you want to use it, go for it! Just do something.
I've called both of my senators today, once regarding the muskrat and just now regarding Patel, Gabbard, Vought and Kennedy. The latter I had to leave a voicemail for but the former, I actually got through to someone this morning
Called today and got a busy signal from Ted Cruz - time to call the local office!
Kudos, Emily. I wrote similar thoughts the other day. https://drrachelmroberts.medium.com/past-is-prologue-d56bad719f7f