You and your colleagues are complicit in the demise of Congress and as a result our system of government. Everyone who employs the language of fighting your opposition versus fighting inequities is not fulfilling their oath of office. You are all “fighting” but none of you are unifying. You’re “fighting” for your voters, but neglecting your constituents. To put it bluntly - Congress is a mess.
Here are four things that a functional Congress should undertake to regain the integrity of your institution and start the process to preserve our republic:
1) Reclaim your Article 1 authorities that have been ceded to the Executive over time, from regulating trade and establishing tariffs to approving military actions;
2) Bring the bipartisan Border Patrol Enhancement Act to the floor for debate and passage;
3) Halt the Administration's dismantling of public institutions and put in place legislative boundaries that prevent a unitary executive; and
4) Establish a bicameral, bipartisan committee to undertake campaign finance reform that removes corporate and large donor control over our elections.
All of these actions will require your full measure as a politician and a leader. You will have to speak truth to your constituents to build consensus. It’s just a start, and Congress is burning daylight.
Hi Mr. C., and TGIF Today's Substack is a real eye-opener. I always thought your description of government was coming, but I never thought I'd see it in my lifetime. The lack of your presence (or anyone else) in the White House to save Baron Von Shitsinpants from himself is the root of the regime's direction. A circumstance I've named "The Cohen Syndrome." Sadly, it is a cult in charge of the most powerful society on the face of the planet. Not just militarily, but socially as well. MAGA will never come around to reality. On one of your Political Beat Downs, Ben mentioned it's harder to convince someone they've been conned than to con them in the first place.
MAGA should not be afraid to admit they were wrong. This is a powerful message:
"I know what it’s like to be surrounded by sycophants. I was one once. When you’re next to power, you convince yourself that staying close gives you more influence than speaking out. But I can tell you from experience: staying silent only makes you complicit."
Time for America to get serious! More serious if you are already. Do we want a constitution that's followed? A democracy that so many fought and died for? Do we want a governing body that FUNCTIONS with fairness and reason and for the good of the people? Or do we want a would-be dictator and his loyal cult followers calling the shots? How many times does Michael, or any of us have to scream: THIS IS NOT A DRILL. DO SOMETHING. NOW. Sounds simple, but whatever we're all doing...it's not enough. Know that. Let's keep going with all we got..
You all really think these letters, phone calls etc. really work? I don't think so! We have been doing this with absolutely no results and 5 million people protesting hasn't worked either. It seems we all think it eventually will work. Forget it, we are dealing with wealthy greedy CEO's and Dumb Trump really has not much to decide except for be there messenger. After the post I copied a long time ago, I believe whomever wrote it knows the only way to solve our problem and save our democracy is to follow, but too many of us believe it will go away without our true fight against this government.
i will post it here again but I know none are ready to suffer the inconvenience.
* The Price of Freedom: A Nation's Stand
My fellow Americans,
We stand at a precipice. The very foundation of our democracy, the principles that define us as a nation – freedom, justice, and the power of the people – are under siege. A regime has taken root that seeks to dismantle these ideals, to centralize power, and to silence the voices of ordinary Americans.
This is not a drill. This is not a partisan debate. This is a battle for the soul of our nation, and we, the American people, are the last line of defense.
To reclaim our democracy, we must face an uncomfortable truth: we must halt the engine that fuels this regime. We must, together, choose to disrupt the very systems it relies upon. This means a collective act of non-cooperation. It means temporarily stopping the flow of productivity that empowers those who seek to undermine us. It means, for a time, accepting financial pain.
I understand the gravity of these words. I know the fear and uncertainty that such a prospect evokes. Families will struggle. Businesses will face hardship. But I ask you: what is the cost of losing our democracy? What is the price of living under a system where our rights are eroded, our voices are silenced, and our future is dictated by a few? That cost, my friends, is far greater and far more enduring than any temporary economic pain we might endure.
Think of those who came before us – who risked everything, who shed blood and treasure, to establish and preserve this nation. They endured famine, war, and unimaginable sacrifice for the promise of a free society. Are we, in this generation, less capable of defending that legacy?
This is not about surrender. This is about strategic withdrawal of our energy and resources from a system that has become weaponized against us. By stopping our collective productivity, we starve the regime of its power. We deny it the resources it needs to perpetuate its control. We create an undeniable crisis that forces a reckoning.
This will be painful. There is no sugarcoating it. But we are a resilient people. We are ingenious. We will organize. We will support each other through community, through shared resources, and through the unbreakable bonds of our common purpose. We must prepare for this pain, knowing that it is the necessary path to a greater good.
The choice before us is stark: a brief, intense period of shared hardship for the promise of a free future, or a slow, agonizing slide into authoritarianism with consequences that will echo for generations.
Let us rise to this challenge. Let us stand together, united in our resolve. Let us choose freedom, no matter the cost. Our democracy, our future, depends on it.
There was no name on the document. I found it in my friend who passed away during covids diary. I know he didn't write it because it was signed Ghost writer.
I'm sorry I can;t help but I find it as if this may have happemed in the pasr.
There are many retired or soon to be retired Republicans. Get them together and also persuade other current Congressional Republicans to stand up and speak out?
At the end of the day, we are all in the same boat. Republicans, Democrats and Independents.
As long as we don't do anything else but continue this daily talking about him, nothing is going to change., We can complain all we want to but its leaving us in the same position day after day. We need to take action. We need a leader. The protests on No King Day were great but what did it change? Nothing just like the next one will do. He's not going to stop unless someone comes up with a plan to stop him. Anyone one out of 350 million people in this country, smart enough to do it? At this point, I think not.
Michael, Please look into this. I dont think it’s a conspiracy theory. Even tho it sounds like some sci-fi horror movie, all the pieces fit. Of course, it will take an engineer to explain it. And Elon Musk is in the middle of it. Or is this so radioactive no one wants to touch it? <thiswillhold@substack.com> There are 3 parts.
Letters to Congress today...
Dear Senator/Representative
You and your colleagues are complicit in the demise of Congress and as a result our system of government. Everyone who employs the language of fighting your opposition versus fighting inequities is not fulfilling their oath of office. You are all “fighting” but none of you are unifying. You’re “fighting” for your voters, but neglecting your constituents. To put it bluntly - Congress is a mess.
Here are four things that a functional Congress should undertake to regain the integrity of your institution and start the process to preserve our republic:
1) Reclaim your Article 1 authorities that have been ceded to the Executive over time, from regulating trade and establishing tariffs to approving military actions;
2) Bring the bipartisan Border Patrol Enhancement Act to the floor for debate and passage;
3) Halt the Administration's dismantling of public institutions and put in place legislative boundaries that prevent a unitary executive; and
4) Establish a bicameral, bipartisan committee to undertake campaign finance reform that removes corporate and large donor control over our elections.
All of these actions will require your full measure as a politician and a leader. You will have to speak truth to your constituents to build consensus. It’s just a start, and Congress is burning daylight.
Sincerely,
I love it and thanks!
By mail:
The Honorable [Full Name]
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
By Phone:
(202) 224-3121
Official Contact Directory/Page:
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm?Class=1
Hi Mr. C., and TGIF Today's Substack is a real eye-opener. I always thought your description of government was coming, but I never thought I'd see it in my lifetime. The lack of your presence (or anyone else) in the White House to save Baron Von Shitsinpants from himself is the root of the regime's direction. A circumstance I've named "The Cohen Syndrome." Sadly, it is a cult in charge of the most powerful society on the face of the planet. Not just militarily, but socially as well. MAGA will never come around to reality. On one of your Political Beat Downs, Ben mentioned it's harder to convince someone they've been conned than to con them in the first place.
(Edited for spelling error)
MAGA should not be afraid to admit they were wrong. This is a powerful message:
"I know what it’s like to be surrounded by sycophants. I was one once. When you’re next to power, you convince yourself that staying close gives you more influence than speaking out. But I can tell you from experience: staying silent only makes you complicit."
Michael, your columns since you started writing on Substack are absolutely TERRIFIC! I say that as a life-long Democrat. Keep up the fabulous work!
Time for America to get serious! More serious if you are already. Do we want a constitution that's followed? A democracy that so many fought and died for? Do we want a governing body that FUNCTIONS with fairness and reason and for the good of the people? Or do we want a would-be dictator and his loyal cult followers calling the shots? How many times does Michael, or any of us have to scream: THIS IS NOT A DRILL. DO SOMETHING. NOW. Sounds simple, but whatever we're all doing...it's not enough. Know that. Let's keep going with all we got..
You all really think these letters, phone calls etc. really work? I don't think so! We have been doing this with absolutely no results and 5 million people protesting hasn't worked either. It seems we all think it eventually will work. Forget it, we are dealing with wealthy greedy CEO's and Dumb Trump really has not much to decide except for be there messenger. After the post I copied a long time ago, I believe whomever wrote it knows the only way to solve our problem and save our democracy is to follow, but too many of us believe it will go away without our true fight against this government.
i will post it here again but I know none are ready to suffer the inconvenience.
* The Price of Freedom: A Nation's Stand
My fellow Americans,
We stand at a precipice. The very foundation of our democracy, the principles that define us as a nation – freedom, justice, and the power of the people – are under siege. A regime has taken root that seeks to dismantle these ideals, to centralize power, and to silence the voices of ordinary Americans.
This is not a drill. This is not a partisan debate. This is a battle for the soul of our nation, and we, the American people, are the last line of defense.
To reclaim our democracy, we must face an uncomfortable truth: we must halt the engine that fuels this regime. We must, together, choose to disrupt the very systems it relies upon. This means a collective act of non-cooperation. It means temporarily stopping the flow of productivity that empowers those who seek to undermine us. It means, for a time, accepting financial pain.
I understand the gravity of these words. I know the fear and uncertainty that such a prospect evokes. Families will struggle. Businesses will face hardship. But I ask you: what is the cost of losing our democracy? What is the price of living under a system where our rights are eroded, our voices are silenced, and our future is dictated by a few? That cost, my friends, is far greater and far more enduring than any temporary economic pain we might endure.
Think of those who came before us – who risked everything, who shed blood and treasure, to establish and preserve this nation. They endured famine, war, and unimaginable sacrifice for the promise of a free society. Are we, in this generation, less capable of defending that legacy?
This is not about surrender. This is about strategic withdrawal of our energy and resources from a system that has become weaponized against us. By stopping our collective productivity, we starve the regime of its power. We deny it the resources it needs to perpetuate its control. We create an undeniable crisis that forces a reckoning.
This will be painful. There is no sugarcoating it. But we are a resilient people. We are ingenious. We will organize. We will support each other through community, through shared resources, and through the unbreakable bonds of our common purpose. We must prepare for this pain, knowing that it is the necessary path to a greater good.
The choice before us is stark: a brief, intense period of shared hardship for the promise of a free future, or a slow, agonizing slide into authoritarianism with consequences that will echo for generations.
Let us rise to this challenge. Let us stand together, united in our resolve. Let us choose freedom, no matter the cost. Our democracy, our future, depends on it.
God bless America!
Thanks! It reminds me of Paul Revere. I needed that..............(@) = Never the dark side/May the force be with you :-)
Please cite the writer or the source, please. It matters.
There was no name on the document. I found it in my friend who passed away during covids diary. I know he didn't write it because it was signed Ghost writer.
I'm sorry I can;t help but I find it as if this may have happemed in the pasr.
i
I'm sorry for your friend.
So another strategy?
There are many retired or soon to be retired Republicans. Get them together and also persuade other current Congressional Republicans to stand up and speak out?
At the end of the day, we are all in the same boat. Republicans, Democrats and Independents.
Maybe someone should point out that the short name of the bill is a little too close to OBAMA. And no Republican wants to vote for OBAMA. LOL
As long as we don't do anything else but continue this daily talking about him, nothing is going to change., We can complain all we want to but its leaving us in the same position day after day. We need to take action. We need a leader. The protests on No King Day were great but what did it change? Nothing just like the next one will do. He's not going to stop unless someone comes up with a plan to stop him. Anyone one out of 350 million people in this country, smart enough to do it? At this point, I think not.
Michael, Please look into this. I dont think it’s a conspiracy theory. Even tho it sounds like some sci-fi horror movie, all the pieces fit. Of course, it will take an engineer to explain it. And Elon Musk is in the middle of it. Or is this so radioactive no one wants to touch it? <thiswillhold@substack.com> There are 3 parts.
You KNOW the mainstream media will suppress it.
Libby Hellmann