Do not Obey in Advance; from On Tyranny Per Timothy Snyder: "Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked". Meaning our inaction by not engaging or failing to reach out to our legislators, is gving in!
Robert Reich writes Substack piece entitled Flooding Trump and Musk's Zone.
"Right now, after three weeks of Trump’s “flooding the zone” (as Trumpers like to say) some of you may be feeling powerless.
Trump wants you to feel powerless. He depends on your passivity in the face of his takeover of American democracy.
He wants to be a strongman who can act unilaterally and arbitrarily — who can issue orders about anything that pops into his head. Purging, firing, prosecuting, or deporting anyone he wants removed. Obliterating, freezing, and pummeling any institution he wants destroyed. Unleashing the richest man in the world to do whatever the hell he wants with the government of the United States."
If you are wondering where the Democrats are? So are we! How can this be happening in the United States of America.
Grassroots Advocacy by YOU the citizens of the USA is working!
Last Sunday February 2nd, a grassroots MASS call hosted by WFP [Working Families Party] in conjunction with Indivisible.org and MoveOn.org was attended by 50,000 people, with overflow spilling over into YouTube channel. Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg former staffers for President Barak Obama, founders of Indivisible, called for the participants to RISE UP and schedule face to face meetings with their Senators. The marching orders were to meet with them, or their staffers, and demand that they enlist all the parliamentary tools at their disposal to bring the Senate to a standstill.
How do 'we' as Americans Shut Down the Senate?
Robert Reich explains how this works in his piece "What you can do"
The Senate may not conduct official business unless a majority of senators (51 if all seats are filled) are present. This is called a quorum, and it’s the foundation of Senate procedure. If a quorum isn’t present, the Senate grinds to a halt.
Senate Democrats should use their power in the minority to call for a quorum and constantly demand quorum calls on any and all Trump initiatives.
Blocking unanimous consent forces roll-call votes, debates, and delays on even the most basic motions, and it will consume hours (or days) of floor time. It would also kill Trump’s fast-track confirmations.
Many of Trump’s judicial nominees sailed through last time because Democrats didn’t force votes on each one. This must end. No more rubber-stamping. [Again, the phone number of the Capitol switchboard operator is (202) 224-3121.]
Why do the Dems need to shut down the Senate?
Shutting down the Senate, with the same tactics the GOP used to block much of Obama's agenda when the Dems had the trifecta. If continually applied, it will take the wind from their sails, possibly forcing bipartisan negotiations with cabinet approvals.
State Indivisible groups, Swing Left and other grassroots organizations mobilized setting up appointments with local and DC Senate offices across the country inviting media for news coverage of these events. At the same time individual Americans flooded the capitol switchboard shutting it down with over 1600 calls per minute! Well done Americans!
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), who has served in Congress since 1997, told Axios: "I can't recall ever receiving this many calls. People disgusted with what's going on, and they want us to fight back." Protestors rallied outside multiple federal agencies, but when Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tried to start a “We will win” chant, protesters countered with “Shut the Senate down!”
Last Friday night (Feb 7th), Senate Democrats filibustered for 30 hours attempting to persuade Republicans to reject Trump’s right-wing religious extremist nominee for director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, a principle author of Project 2025.
Face to Face Advocacy is working... it has moved the needle! We cannot let up!
Americans, continue to show up at your Senators local offices. Demand that they take action to save our Country.
How do we Turn UP the Heat?
No need to travel to DC, visit them in their local offices. Most if not all legislators in the House and the Senate post on their websites office hours with locations, dates & times that you can meet with them. Remember they work for you! No need to set up an appointment, just show up. Since the confirmation hearings are still underway, you most likely will meet with staffers.
When you meet with Democratic Senators ask for the following....
Tell your Democratic Senators not to confirm any T 2.0 cabinet Picks
Weaponize the Quorum in the Senate.... use every parliamentary tool available to slow +/or stop business in the Senate
Do not give unanimous consent on ANYTHING!
So the Democratic Senators get this message loud & clear.....
Contact them MULTIPLE TIMES! FOTUS's executive orders, Musk's assault on Federal Agencies with the GOP legislators in full support, there is no shortage of topics to advocate for!
Each day pick one from the many topics & combine with the 3 points above... like this
First Paragraph you insert the topic & update to a new one next time you call
Second Paragraph & Closure is the same for all calls or face to face meetings
Senator [XXX]
My name is [XXX] and I live at [US Postal Address & zip code]
I am calling you ask you to stop Musk & the GOP gutting of USAIDs
because {if you have a story to share perfect...or simply state why]
We are in a constitutional crisis and I am worried that our Democracy is in peril. As a constituent I ask that you: 1) Do NOT confirm ANY of Pres Trump's cabinet picks
2) Weaponize the Quorum in the Senate.... use every parliamentary tool available to slow +/or stop business in the Senate, and
3) Do not give unanimous consent on ANYTHING!
Thank you for joining the many concerned citizens to fight back for our country
For GOP Senators tell them not to confirm: Tulsi Gabbard, RFK, Jr, Kash Patel, and Mehmet Oz
Help to block the extreme and unqualified GOP nominees, RED STATES target the Senators up for re-election 2026. It was extremely difficult to listen to Hegseth's confirmation hearing.... especially the GOP praises and willingness to turn the check to the multiple well documented Hegseth indiscretions. Unfortunately, Mr. Hegseth was well coached and very articulate, enabling him to dodge the many of the questions from the DEMS.
Yes, the senate GOP has a 6 seat/vote advantage, this margin is NOT unsurmountable! Keep in mind Senators Susan Collins & Lisa Murkowski frequently vote with the DEMS…so now the margin is reduced… then just needing 2 more votes to block the nomination. We CANNOT give up!
If you cannot go to your Senators office call them at 202-224-3121. This is the capitol switch board, just give your Senator's name then your call will be directed to their office.
If you are nervous about talking with them, call after hours and leave a voicemail. Make sure you leave your Name, USPS Address, Zip Code in the beginning of your message, so they can verify that you are a constituent.... otherwise your call will not count.
Writing an email to your elected
If going or calling your Senator doesn't work for you write them. Below is a letter suggested by Robert Reich ; with some modifications made by V4C.
Senator [XXX]
Re: Constitutional Crisis
Dear Senator [XXX]:
We are in a constitutional crisis. The president has usurped Congress’s authority, including freezing the use of appropriated funds. you <can insert a different specific topic here> It is time to act now.
Stop all confirmations. Put holds on every Trump nominee. No more hearings or confirmation votes. Use all the parlimenary tools at your disposal to shut down the Senate, and do not give any unanimous consents.
Get back your appropriations authority, whether through litigation or investigations. Allowing Musk’s DOGE access to all payments information enables them to decide who gets money Congress appropriated and designated. <instead of last sentence you can insert a different specific topic here>
Sincerely,
xxx Your Name, US Postal Address & zip code
Lastly, the more Democratic Senators hear from us on issues important to us... this emboldens them to fight the fight harder!
AOC in a recent post on her Instagram account states "More Republicans make calls and do it more consistently than democratic voters"... she goes on to say "keep calling...keep using 5Calls!"
When they do vote the way we've asked them.... call them to thank them. A little sugar goes a long way, most of the time, constituent calls are complaints.
NEVER GIVE UP.... LET'S TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY!
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