Weekly Roundup
The Senate Fiddled While Rome Burned
"The forest was dying, but it continued to choose the axe... The axe was clever and convinced the forest that because its handle was made of wood, it was one of them"
~Ancient Ottoman Proverb
Introduction
The past 2 months have been a whirlwind of activity, signifying nothing aside from the grift and misplaced assumptions of the billionaire class. What’s worse, our Democratic Party leadership, slow off the blocks to begin with, capitulated to the donor class (largely the same interests - and people - as the billionaire class). As I reported last month, the selection of DNC Chairman Ken Martin did indeed signal “business as usual” at the DNC, with an emphasis on donations rather than grass roots activism. That was very apparent to me by the waves of Democrats begging for campaign contributions, continuing to blow up my phone. I hate to say, “I told you so,” but I told you so. Also - Ken - I have no more money (or f__ks) to give the New Democrats and the DNC. I have reached that plateau where the only thing I have left to give is my time (and even that is limited) - so asking me for money is counterproductive. I also have a hunch that most of the people you say are your constituents are in the same boat I am.
The New Democrats maintain a strangle hold on the Democratic Party, and will not countenance progressives trying to primary New Democrats. Their voting records, focus on donations, and lack of a backbone in a fight that is existential for many people, makes it plain that the only way to get the right leadership into place is to take over the party. Now I know the New Democrats have been trying to rebrand themselves as ‘Progressive’, but dear friends, you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. And all the pearl clutching when it is suggested new leadership is needed; “let’s not have a civil war when so much is at stake and we should be focusing on beating MAGA.” Always the delaying tactics. “America isn’t ready for Progressives like Bernie Sanders.” “AOC is too outspoken - we need to be more diplomatic.” I think it’s too late and using the same tactics that lost you the last election makes me think you are either more interested in holding onto your position than helping the people who really need it, or you are just a grifter who is on the side of the oligarchs. Either way, I’m not supporting this anymore. Either you drop your oligarch friends, and get with the program, or I will be supporting anyone who wants to primary you. That’s my message to New Democrats for the mid-terms.
Executive Branch
I don’t have enough time or space to record all of the crap that the Trump Regime continues to pump out of the black holes that are their greedy hearts. But, here is a brief summary:
A number of executive orders address eliminating “Federal Bureaucracy” - which is code for “removing parts of the government I don’t like.” This includes elimination of non-statutory functions, removal of advisory committees including Minority Business Development Agency and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
Executive orders targeting specific law firms, effectively blocking them from gaining federal contracts.
Enforcement of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c). It addresses concerns about activist organizations obtaining broad injunctions that may disrupt executive policy-making processes and impose costs on taxpayers. By mandating that parties seeking injunctions against the federal government must provide security for potential costs and damages. This, of course, eliminates normal people from defending themselves against illegal activities of this regime.
Addressing the threats to national security to imports of timber, lumber, and supporting the immediate expansion of the American timber industry. That’s not good, considering trees provide us with oxygen, create and keep the topsoil from eroding, keep moisture in the ground, and keep the earth cooler - and we’ve clear cut vast acreages already.
Ditto Copper, Aluminum, and Steel. Exceptions for key ingredients for the production of automobiles including Potash, and components.
Ensuring greater presidential supervision of regulatory agencies. Of course, this accountability will be to the whims of the president, and not to law.
Regulatory initiative by DOGE to ensure regulations are authorized by law or the Constitution, *or* “burdensome to business and innovation.” Yeah, that’s not going to go badly for American citizens…
Pausing enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), highlighting its perceived negative impact on U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. It states that FCPA enforcement has become overly expansive, hindering American businesses' ability to operate globally. Hmmm - sounds like a massive windfall for companies willing to bend the rules for local warlords etc.
Elimination of the Federal Executive Institute, a program established over 50 years ago to provide leadership training for government officials. The order asserts that such training has resulted in bureaucratic expansion that does not serve the American public effectively. Yes, we want people without any understanding whatsoever of government agencies and functions to run these agencies. Trump University all over again.
Executive Order aims to address perceived anti-Christian bias in government actions and policies. It establishes a Task Force within the Department of Justice, chaired by the Attorney General, to review prior administration practices for any unlawful targeting of Christians. The Task Force is tasked with recommending revocations of such policies, enhancing protections for religious liberties, and reporting its findings to the President.
Keeping “men” out of womens sports (to address the estimated 100 trans people in the country this applies to).
Eliminate Covid-19 vaccination mandates at schools. Given how my kids used to bring home, and give us all sorts of diseases - I know this will work out just fine.
Radical Transparency in how taxpayer money is spent in government; The memorandum directs the heads of executive departments and agencies to publicly disclose detailed information about all terminated programs and contracts, as allowed by law, in order to promote accountability and foster public awareness of government expenditures. This “transparency” has so far shown us bupkiss, aside from attacking programs that really help people.
Designated “English” as the official language of the United States.
Executive order amends a previous order aimed at addressing the flow of illicit drugs across the northern and southern U.S. borders by modifying duty regulations on certain covered articles. The amendment introduces conditions under which duty-free de minimis treatment is available, stating that such benefits will terminate once the Secretary of Commerce confirms the establishment of sufficient systems for tariff processing and revenue collection. The order reinforces existing legal authorities and clarifies that it does not create enforceable rights against the U.S. or its agencies.
Establish strategic bitcoin reserve. Yes funnel all those tax dollars into highly volatile digital tokens.
Establish a federal commission to plan for FIFA World Cup activities in 2025 and 2026. That’s a great use of government funds.
Rescending a range of orders and memoranda related to public health, foreign policy, labor standards, and domestic economic policies. The intent is to realign federal government practices to promote a more common-sense approach that purportedly enhances American citizens' potential.
Proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act, allowing for the apprehension and removal of TdA members identified as threats, declaring them as hostile and dangerous to public safety. It mandates collaboration between federal and state enforcement agencies for enforcement of these measures.
Executive Order addressing the concerns regarding collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) finalized in the last 30 days of a presidential administration. It prohibits federal agencies from creating new CBAs, making substantive changes to existing ones, or extending their durations during this period, arguing that such agreements can unduly restrict the incoming president's authority and ability to implement new policies. The order emphasizes the principle of democratic self-governance, asserting that last-minute CBAs can impede the electoral mandate and the proper functioning of the executive branch. Union busting by the government (again - remember the Reagan and the ATC workers strike in the 1980s? That went well [not]).
Executive Order aims to enhance educational freedom and opportunities for families by promoting parental choice in education. It acknowledges issues in the current public K-12 education system and highlights the benefits of educational choice, including increased competition and improved student outcomes. The Order directs various federal departments to develop guidance and plans to support state-level initiatives, particularly for low-income families and military families, to access educational alternatives. It emphasizes the importance of enabling families to select the best educational settings for their children. Educational Choice is code for ‘vouchers’ - which are widely known to be really about subsidizing rich people’s children’s educations, while locking poor people into substandard education - maintaining an underclass of workers for the rich oligarchy.
There are 100+ lawsuits that are filed or progressing now against many of these blatantly illegal and grift worthy orders and activities. You can see that status of many of them by clicking here if you want to dive even further down the rabbit hole: https://www.democracy2025.org/response-center
Legislative Branch
The contentious HR 1968 was passed with the help of Senate Democrats after a valient fight by House Democrats to delay. The Democratic Caucus is in disarray with Nancy Pelosi even weighing in. Of course, the Republicans haven’t been having a field day with their constituents either!
The long term budget planning bill H.Con.Res.14 is wending its way through congress, gaining approval in the House and is on its way to the Senate.
And the Democrats have introduced H.R.1936 to prohibit funds for the Armed Forces to engage in operations to invade or seize territory from Canada, the Republic of Panama, or the self-governing territory of Greenland. Godspeed Democrats; Godspeed.
Judicial Branch
Chief Justice John Roberts responded to Trump’s and Elon Musk’s calls for judicial impeachment of selected judges who have ruled against them, saying impeachment was “not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.” Previously he warned about threats to the independence of the judiciary, and it seems his warning was not without merit.
The court is slated to take on a number of cases involving Trump executive orders, and State laws are being challenged that have started to flow out of MAGA controlled state houses, spurred on by Trump’s dismantling of the regulatory and administrative functions of the Federal Government.
100% I'm with you. Now if we can get over half of the electorate to agree with us we can craft some amendments to make it happen. The Party system is the really hard egg to crack - but breaking the electoral college and maybe having rank-choice voting, as well might make it happen.
Hate to say it, but the system has been broken for years and years. We need to scrap the Electoral College and scrap the two-party system with either a multi-party system or a no-party system. Trump IS the swamp. He IS the Establishment.