More Interesting People

Posted by Jess Craven

https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/p/chop-wood-carry-water-925-758

Hi, all, and happy Thursday!

I’m going to keep this opening quick, as there’s a lot going on.

As we’re approaching the September 30 deadline and a likely government shutdown I want to make sure everyone here understands what’s happening with the budget fight. Because Democrats are finally doing what we’ve asked them to do and it’s important that we tell people about it. They’re throwing down and using the leverage they have to extract major concessions. This is what we’ve been asking for!

And almost no one knows it’s happening.

So. What’s happening, exactly?

It’s pretty simple: the government runs out of funding on September 30 because Republicans have kicked the can down the road repeatedly, and the can rolls to a stop on that date. Congress needs to pass new legislation to keep the government coffers flowing. Republicans, however, can’t do this alone. They need seven Senate Democrats to vote with them to pass any spending package, as, unlike reconciliation bills, regular spending bills are subject to a filibuster.

What Democrats are trying to do is use the leverage they have—leverage that is extremely hard to come by these days—to extract concessions. They are saying, essentially, “we will vote to keep the government funded IF” Republicans:

1. Restore the trillion dollars they just cut from Medicaid

2. Permanently extend the ACA premium tax cuts—thereby keeping healthcare premiums for 22 million Americans affordable

3. Restore funding to Public Broadcasting, which was cut using rescissions after it had been appropriated and

4. Put guardrails on Trump so he and Russel Vought can’t continue to cut funding that’s already been appropriated at will using “pocket rescissions.” This includes funding for things like the NIH, kids’ cancer research, and public education.

When you put it like this it’s really quite straightforward. Republicans control the House, Senate, and presidency. They run the government. They have shown utter contempt for what Democrats and their voters want, and have been willing to go to extraordinary lengths to get what they want with no input from across the aisle. This is the one and only chance we will have anytime soon to exert some power over them. We can and must use it.

So we are making demands.

Will Republicans kick and scream about it? Yes. They already are. Will Trump lie and make up things Democrats are demanding? Yes. He already is. (Fortunately we have Schumer’s letter as ready proof of what, actually, is being asked for.) Will Russ Vought threaten to fire thousands more federal workers as “punishment” if Democrats don’t concede? Yes. He is. He is a kidnapper essentially threatening to shoot hostages. That’s on him. It’s ghastly and awful but if we start negotiating with terrorists, as it were, we’ll never stop.

These are awful people fighting to keep healthcare away from 17 million Americans, to prevent children with cancer from receiving a cure, to prevent rural hospitals from getting the funds they need to keep their doors open. We shouldn’t concede a thing to them.

This is Democrats’ moment to rise. Right now they are. It’s our job to stand behind them.

Oh, and I’ll just mention that yesterday I made my first ever long-form, (non-live) YouTube video to explain everything I just said here in as clear language as I could. I did this because, while Democrats’ intentions are good right now, their messaging is awful; we all need to do what we can to explain to voters what’s happening. You can find that video here.

OK, all. There’s so much more happening, but we need to get busy!

I’ve leave it to others to tell you more about what’s in the news. Here we’re about action! So let’s get to work.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

I’m disgusted and alarmed by Trump’s weaponization of the Department of Justice. His latest move, directing Pam Bondi to open an investigation into James Comey despite US Attorneys saying there’s no case there, is abhorrent and wrong. Has the Representative made a statement condemning it? [If yes thank. If no add:] S/he needs to. The DOJ should be fully independent and focussed on pursuing justice for the American people—not satisfying Trump’s broken need for revenge against his perceived enemies.

Also, I want the Senate to accept Democrats’ demands and pass a spending bill that restores a trillion in funding to Medicaid, permanently extends the ACA premium tax credits, and puts guardrails on Trump and Vought so they can’t keep doing rescissions. Anything else is unacceptable. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

First, I understand that Donald Trump and Speaker Johnson are doing everything in their power to stop Rep. Massie’s discharge petition about Epstein from achieving 218 signatures. This is outrageous. I want the Representative to push Johnson to stop obstructing it and allow a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act. And once that happens I expect the Representative to vote yes.

Second, I’m disgusted and alarmed by Trump’s weaponization of the Department of Justice. His latest move, directing Pam Bondi to open an investigation into James Comey despite US Attorneys saying there’s no case there, is abhorrent and wrong. Has the Representative made a statement condemning it? [If yes thank. If no add:] S/he needs to. The DOJ should be fully independent and focussed on pursuing justice for the American people—not satisfying Trump’s broken need for revenge against his perceived enemies. Thanks.

A VERY Special Guest on Practivist Pod!

Inspiring civil rights activist HEATHER BOOTH was on our Practivist Pod this week! While I work on getting her onto a Substack Live with me this is a great opportunity to hear her speak. She’s AMAZING!

Listen here or watch below:

Extra Credit ✅

On June 28, immigration agents detained Jackie, her mother, and her four young U.S. citizen children while they were visiting Jackie’s sister at Peace Arch State Park, which straddles the U.S.-Canada border.

CBP agents arrested the family, under the false and outlandish allegation that Jackie was engaged in “human trafficking” — all because her sister, a legal permanent resident of Canada, stepped her foot over the border line while hugging her family goodbye.

CBP and ICE went to extraordinary lengths to disappear this family, including denying Jackie access to a lawyer, interrogating young children, and even ordering them passports in a rushed attempt to deport them from the U.S., their home and country of birth.

Join the National Immigration Law Center in applying pressure and demanding that ICE release the Merlos family. Learn more about the family’s case on Instagram, Bluesky, and in local news coverage.

Get Smart! 📚

In 2026, Americans are projected to face steep increases in health care costs as the direct result of congressional Republicans’ policy choices. The Republican majorities in Congress have repeatedly rejected efforts to extend enhanced premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act marketplace shoppers during the budget reconciliation process and again this month.

At the same time, the Trump administration finalized harmful regulations that will shrink health insurance marketplace enrollment and increase out-of-pocket costs, and insurers are citing the Trump administration’s tariffs, including those expected on prescription drugs, as drivers of premium increases for 2026. The Trump administration’s Big “Beautiful” Bill went even further, slashing Medicaid and Medicare in ways that will leave millions uninsured, shift billions in uncompensated care costs back onto hospitals and other care providers, and raise costs for patients.

Join the Center for American Progress Action Fund on September 29 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. EDT to examine the true cost of the Republican health care agenda and to highlight what’s at stake if Congress fails to act.

RSVP here.

Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣

With funding for the federal government set to run out this week, it is critically important that the American people hear who is responsible for a potential shutdown and why. Republicans are working overtime to prime Americans to blame Democrats, and it is imperative that Democrats state it plainly: Republicans, who control Congress and the White House, are willing to shut down the government unless they are able to take away health care from millions of working people and families.

Please join Navigator Research for a briefing on Tuesday, September 30th, at 2:00 pm ET on the most effective messaging around the shutdown and beyond featuring new data from the battleground survey as well as previous national data.

RSVP for the Briefing

Give 💰!

Are you in Los Angeles? You’re invited to Dancing for Democracy to help support Prop 50!

We all know what’s at stake: free and fair elections, retaking the U.S. House by Dems, stopping Donald Trump and preserving our democracy. The other objective is to have some fun! Dance the night and fascism away! It’s time to get on up and DO SOMETHING!

When: Sunday, October 5, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Where: Mt. Lowe Brewing Company, 150 E. St. Joseph St., Arcadia. Cash bar (beer and wine). Street parking is readily available. Our venue is outside on Astroturf, so hard-soled shoes are recommended.

How: Sign up here. Tickets are $25/person.

Consider donating regardless of where you live or even if you can’t attend. To donate, click Dancing for Democracy!

Win Races—with a team! 🗳

Some friends in L.A. have been running a gamified election action league every cycle for years. They’re doing one for Prop 50 now. Players earn points and prizes for canvassing, phone banking, etc. It’s a fun, social way to stay motivated through Election Day. If you’re a tech-comfortable organizer-type interested in trying it out, here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up your own, no-cost league.

Win races—write postcards!

From a subscriber—so cool!

Help the fight for YES on Prop 50 with super-easy-to-do postcards that only require 3 words of handwriting (” Dear Sally” and your signature) and come with pre-printed address labels! Cards come in packs of 250, and can be completed by most people in less than 3 hours per pack. Volunteers provide postage of 78 cents per card. We will mail packs of cards anywhere in US.

Contact me, Geri (geraldine.alpert@gmail.com)

Please note these cards do require a 1st class postage stamp—not a postcard stamp!

Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥

Register here for the Environmental Polling Consortium’s upcoming quarterly poll briefing on September 30, featuring new findings about:

• Who voters blame for electricity price increases;

• Americans’ energy priorities;

• Americans’ attitudes about utilities, energy bills, and electricity reliability; and

• Polluter accountability

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[To: all 3 reps] [H/T ] [Text SIGN PZOPAE to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]

(Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)

I urge you to support and pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405), which would require the immediate release of all unclassified Epstein records. Survivors deserve the truth, and the public deserves accountability from every powerful person who enabled or protected him.

So far, Congress and the public have only seen partial dumps and heavily redacted documents. That is not justice — it is delay and cover-up. And every time the pressure builds, new distractions appear: scare stories about Tylenol and autism, staged destruction of “narco boats,” the President’s claim of “triple sabotage” after an escalator and teleprompter mishap at the U.N., and even fake antifa messages scrawled on the bullets that killed migrants in ICE custody.

These circus headlines are designed to bury the truth. They don’t serve survivors, and they don’t serve America.

The choice is clear: either side with secrecy and delay, or pass H.R. 4405 to bring every unredacted document to light. Please rise above the distractions. Justice delayed is justice denied.

OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess

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