Heather Cox Richardson noted that Susan Collins usually steps out as the third person, waiting for at least two others to go out on the limb ahead of her. I'm not sure that with Senator Tillis' decision not to run again, if she will wait for an additional person to step out before deciding if she will deign to vote against this brutal, destructive bill. Any Republican who plans to vote against it should say nothing--taking a page out of John McCain's playbook--not to mention avoiding the pressure from the Orange One and his sycophants, and dramatically vote no.
I've been thinking about the math. There are 53 Republican senators, and Thume can only afford to lose three--thereby allowing Vance to break a tie. Ron Paul is a no. That left three, two of whom Tillis and Collins, would be up for re-election in 2026, and one, Murkowski, in 2028. The usual game is to allow the "vulnerable" senators to vote against an unpopular measure that will pass anyway, but now that Tillis has ruled out seeking re-election, the cat has been set amongst the pigeons. Collins would face voters sooner, but Murkowski would face them when the full effect of the cuts set in, and those cuts will hit Alaska hard. Will these two senators flip a coin to see who sacrifices herself?
How can Democrats be winning elections? I thought they were spineless, feckless, uninspiring, old and icky!!!! ///s We're at this point in the process because Democrats do the work of reading bills, knowing rules and how and when to make them work, and articulating facts, data and process while they're expressing righteous anger which makes communication more effective. But this isn't "glamorous" or "meeting the moment" per the media or pouty left.
Noah, that was a flat out brilliant piece of writing and analysis. I couldn't find a significant point of disagreement with you. This bill is radioctively toxic to everything and everyone- to Republicans, to Democrats, to the people, to our democracy. It is undoubtedly the worst such bill in our national history, the monstrous progeny of project 2025 and Donald Trump
It is testimony to the enormous control the latter has over his debased and feckless party that the bill has survived this long.
And of course, we know that "numerous people have come forward" to primary Tillis is just another lie from the *checks notes* "bumbling orange fascist toddler." Thank you for your attention to this matter! /s
And of course, the brutally ironic thing about that tax-cut relief to the ultra rich … is that they don’t pay any taxes at all. Nor would’ve Trump, had he not been (most unfortunately) president.
It’s all about retribution to the Dems, and this country, for that Sixties turn to the left: Equality, progress, rights for all citizens—horrors! I want that crewcut and I want it now!
📢 Grandparents, We Must Sound the Alarm: Our Tax Dollars Are Funding a Police State
Dear Beloved Grandparents,
It’s time we speak plainly.
As we sit around our kitchen tables, our children and grandchildren are being forced to grow up in a country that is sliding closer and closer to authoritarian rule — and we are being made to fund it.
⚠️ The Senate’s version of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Reconciliation Bill” includes massive ICE funding — funneling billions of our tax dollars into:
Masked federal agents in unmarked vans
Coordinated, abusive raids in communities across the country
The kidnapping of long-time residents — including legal immigrants — under vague suspicions
A growing federal police force operating with no transparency or civil rights oversight
This is not border security. This is state-sponsored terror, paid for by working Americans like you and me.
And it gets worse.
During a recent visit with El Salvador’s president, Trump boasted about plans to deport “homegrown” people — a chilling phrase that should strike fear in any true patriot. It implies citizens — born and raised here — could be targeted for political reasons, ethnicity, activism, or simple dissent.
Let us be clear: this is the language of fascism.
We’ve read about this in history books. Hitler’s party didn’t start with death camps. It started by vilifying immigrants, imprisoning critics, and passing laws that funded paramilitary forces while silencing opposition — all under the guise of “order.”
That is the road we are now on.
🛑 But we can still turn around — if we act now.
✅ Call your U.S. Senators and Representatives. Demand they vote no on this ICE expansion buried in Trump’s reconciliation bill.
✅ Support independent media — they are uncovering what corporate outlets are ignoring. Share, subscribe, and spread the truth.
✅ Educate your family and neighbors — especially young voters and those raised on right-wing news.
✅ Remind your communities: We’ve seen this before. We must never be silent again.
📣 Grandparents — we are the protectors of memory and the guardians of democracy.
Let us honor that duty now.
🇺🇸 Peaceful resistance. Public truth. People before power.
As a North Carolinian, we will work incredibly hard to elect a Dem. I think Tillis might have lost in 2020, but news about his Dem opponent having had an affair saved him. And yes, we were furious that Cal Cunningham (if I remember the name correctly) ran with that baggage. Infidelity doesn’t matter to republicans but it did matter to Dems.
Doesn't sound like you or anybody else was very successful in moving the perpetually "concerned" Collins and the cowardly hypocrite murkowski.
Heather Cox Richardson noted that Susan Collins usually steps out as the third person, waiting for at least two others to go out on the limb ahead of her. I'm not sure that with Senator Tillis' decision not to run again, if she will wait for an additional person to step out before deciding if she will deign to vote against this brutal, destructive bill. Any Republican who plans to vote against it should say nothing--taking a page out of John McCain's playbook--not to mention avoiding the pressure from the Orange One and his sycophants, and dramatically vote no.
Great idea to keep quiet and then vote “no.”
I've been thinking about the math. There are 53 Republican senators, and Thume can only afford to lose three--thereby allowing Vance to break a tie. Ron Paul is a no. That left three, two of whom Tillis and Collins, would be up for re-election in 2026, and one, Murkowski, in 2028. The usual game is to allow the "vulnerable" senators to vote against an unpopular measure that will pass anyway, but now that Tillis has ruled out seeking re-election, the cat has been set amongst the pigeons. Collins would face voters sooner, but Murkowski would face them when the full effect of the cuts set in, and those cuts will hit Alaska hard. Will these two senators flip a coin to see who sacrifices herself?
How can Democrats be winning elections? I thought they were spineless, feckless, uninspiring, old and icky!!!! ///s We're at this point in the process because Democrats do the work of reading bills, knowing rules and how and when to make them work, and articulating facts, data and process while they're expressing righteous anger which makes communication more effective. But this isn't "glamorous" or "meeting the moment" per the media or pouty left.
Gormless, flatulent, scythe-wielding! Vocabulary matters!
"flatulent descent into fascism" def my favorite phrase this Monday morning.
If a bit (uncomfortably) noisy.
Last paragraph description of Ernst is my new all time favorite, thanks for a laugh out loud moment in this bleak time!
Noah, that was a flat out brilliant piece of writing and analysis. I couldn't find a significant point of disagreement with you. This bill is radioctively toxic to everything and everyone- to Republicans, to Democrats, to the people, to our democracy. It is undoubtedly the worst such bill in our national history, the monstrous progeny of project 2025 and Donald Trump
It is testimony to the enormous control the latter has over his debased and feckless party that the bill has survived this long.
And of course, we know that "numerous people have come forward" to primary Tillis is just another lie from the *checks notes* "bumbling orange fascist toddler." Thank you for your attention to this matter! /s
And of course, the brutally ironic thing about that tax-cut relief to the ultra rich … is that they don’t pay any taxes at all. Nor would’ve Trump, had he not been (most unfortunately) president.
It’s all about retribution to the Dems, and this country, for that Sixties turn to the left: Equality, progress, rights for all citizens—horrors! I want that crewcut and I want it now!
Thomas Richards comment on Bluesky:
"widespread death and misery" is all that needs to be said.
It's so sad that the "you won't get elected again" is what they care about.
Tillis's "inability to navigate the politics of the [BBB]?" Or should it read, his "unwillingness" to do so?
🧵 SUBSTACK POST 🧵
📢 Grandparents, We Must Sound the Alarm: Our Tax Dollars Are Funding a Police State
Dear Beloved Grandparents,
It’s time we speak plainly.
As we sit around our kitchen tables, our children and grandchildren are being forced to grow up in a country that is sliding closer and closer to authoritarian rule — and we are being made to fund it.
⚠️ The Senate’s version of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Reconciliation Bill” includes massive ICE funding — funneling billions of our tax dollars into:
Masked federal agents in unmarked vans
Coordinated, abusive raids in communities across the country
The kidnapping of long-time residents — including legal immigrants — under vague suspicions
A growing federal police force operating with no transparency or civil rights oversight
This is not border security. This is state-sponsored terror, paid for by working Americans like you and me.
And it gets worse.
During a recent visit with El Salvador’s president, Trump boasted about plans to deport “homegrown” people — a chilling phrase that should strike fear in any true patriot. It implies citizens — born and raised here — could be targeted for political reasons, ethnicity, activism, or simple dissent.
Let us be clear: this is the language of fascism.
We’ve read about this in history books. Hitler’s party didn’t start with death camps. It started by vilifying immigrants, imprisoning critics, and passing laws that funded paramilitary forces while silencing opposition — all under the guise of “order.”
That is the road we are now on.
🛑 But we can still turn around — if we act now.
✅ Call your U.S. Senators and Representatives. Demand they vote no on this ICE expansion buried in Trump’s reconciliation bill.
✅ Support independent media — they are uncovering what corporate outlets are ignoring. Share, subscribe, and spread the truth.
✅ Educate your family and neighbors — especially young voters and those raised on right-wing news.
✅ Remind your communities: We’ve seen this before. We must never be silent again.
📣 Grandparents — we are the protectors of memory and the guardians of democracy.
Let us honor that duty now.
🇺🇸 Peaceful resistance. Public truth. People before power.
In Solidarity,
Clarissa Sr, an American Grandma
#GrandparentsForDemocracy #IndependentMediaMatters #DefundICE #StopThePoliceState #GoodTrouble #ProtectOurFuture
GOP — completing that capitulation to MAGA. Tillis is no great loss … but I fear his replacement.
As a North Carolinian, we will work incredibly hard to elect a Dem. I think Tillis might have lost in 2020, but news about his Dem opponent having had an affair saved him. And yes, we were furious that Cal Cunningham (if I remember the name correctly) ran with that baggage. Infidelity doesn’t matter to republicans but it did matter to Dems.
That was his name. 🤦🏿♀️🤦🏿♀️🤦🏿♀️
Outrage exhaustion trumps any other “news”.
🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞. I hope it is.