Fight Fascism and Corruption: Challenges and opportunities to act
Charlie Cooper
Trump is Still more popular than in his first term!
Every once in a while my heartburn is intensified by those who argue that Trump is an idiot who will defeat himself. This newsletter is dedicated to the proposition that We the People must organize and mobilize to defeat fascism, restore democracy, and create a peaceful, sustainable, equitable nation. The Democratic leadership is widely seen as too dependent on billionaires and too timid to make necessary changes in the economy to benefit workers, but there are some signs of life in the Democratic Party. Some younger progressives have been dynamic in office and some new, young candidates are organizing amazing numbers of door-knockers and other campaign workers.
But even the Party leadership showed some signs of life this month. Democrats decided to fight to undo some of the worst aspects of the Republican federal budget fiasco, which was enacted in July. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Republican budget would eliminate health insurance for about 17 million people. Democrats now demand an additional $67 billion annual spending to restore the cuts to Medicare and to Obamacare subsidies.
Democrats also included several provisions to restore funding to the National Institutes of Health, Public Broadcasting System, and foreign aid. (Note that some of these rescissions/impoundments have been found to be illegal by federal courts, but “Justice” Roberts has given “temporary” permission to keep the cuts in place pending full litigation, with no expedited time frame.)
Republicans rejected the proposal, thus setting the stage for a government shutdown on Wednesday. It remains to be seen whether Democrats can win the messaging battle. Their Congressional leadership has very low credibility with the electorate. Trump canceled a meeting with Democratic leaders and then reversed himself.
Fox/Sinclair Takedown
I urge you to participate in Fox Takedown. Baltimore's DON'T FEED THE FOX campaign is organizing protests and a boycott of all David Smith family properties, including the following:
David Smith's Sinclair broadcasting group is the nation's second largest owner of local Fox affiliates. The Sinclair group includes over 290 local news stations across the country that collectively reach 40% of American households with right-wing lies and misinformation. WATCH this John Oliver segment to learn more
David Smith's Baltimore Sun, which has turned the city's once-proud paper of record into a mouthpiece for Smith's culture war and right-wing propaganda
David Smith's MileOne Autogroup, including 67 dealerships and 8 body shops in 5 state
The Smith family's Atlas group of overpriced tourist restaurants that have been accused of back-room corruption, destroying the local restaurant scene, gentrification and racial discrimination
RESTAURANTS TO BOYCOTT: (See map of locations):
* The Admiral’s Cup * Annapolis Waterfront Hotel * Atlas Fish Market * Azumi * The Bygone * The Choptank (Annapolis) * The Choptank (Baltimore) * Cross Street Cocktails * Cunningham’s Cafe * The Elk Room * Harbor East Deli * Italian Disco
* James Joyce * Loch Bar * Market Ale House * Maximon * Nine Tailed Fox * The Oregon Grille * Order of the Ace * Ouzo Bay * Ouzo Beach * The Ruxton * Tagliata * The Undefeated * The Valley Inn * Waterfront Hotel * Watershed * Monarque
* The Baltimore Sun *The MileOne Autogroup
Show Up for NO KINGS Day on October 18
Click the link above to find your nearest rally. It’s very important to keep building and increasing the number of people who participate in these actions. The goal is to make October 18 the biggest political action in U.S. history.
Please attend, and take someone with you who’s a first-timer. My friends at Be the Change offer this opportunity to bus to the rally in Washington, DC by filling out this form.