That whole "Waste, Fraud, Abuse" fake slogan that they used for DOGE to eviscerate the Federal structure is just another projection. They are the waste, fraud, and abuse.
Every morning I just check to see if he has had a debilitating stroke and then I don’t want to hear anymore. It’s the cruelty…. I hate that people are still ok with it
I have a friend who is, under normal circumstances, a really nice guy, but he rants—nearly daily—about how awful Democrats are and how we’re mistreating Trump whose only trying to do his job. I really don’t understand. I know that far right news sources give a different slant on what’s happening, but still. . .
Why do you still consider this person a friend? Is this someone you are friends with in real life (i.e., see on a regular basis) or simply a FB friend from years ago? If a real-life friend, have you tried to put down your foot and refused to talk politics?
I am no longer in contact with quite a few people like this. (We mostly broke when they bought into MAGA conspiracies about Covid and refused to take any precautions and in at least one case refused to get vaccinated). Being no contact help keeps my blood pressure from spiking and I don't waste energy that can be better spent on more productive activities.
This may not be applicable, but are you aware of the sunk cost fallacy? This article focuses on romantic relationships but I think the principles apply to long-term friendships as well:
I do not respond to his rants, and I continue to post when I choose and what I choose. He is only a casual friend, but nothing that I saw from him was as radical as what he posts nearly daily now. I am simply floored by those who swallow all the MAGA propaganda even while we’re living through the horrors of the latest Trump action.
People like that don't care unless it effects them directly I'm afraid. And he'll probably come up with some twisted logic to blame the Democrats when something does impact him directly.
I have a similar friend. His wife says he has his headphones on, day and night, listening to MAGA podcasts. But he's directly helped people among the classes of folks MAGA hates. On several occasions. He's done this repeatedly, and recently. He doesn't rant to me because he knows I have zero tolerance, but I know he wants to, lol.
Maybe he's trying to keep the peace with his wife.
Yesterday, when I was at a street corner protest, an older white guy rolled down his window and started a diatribe with a non-sanitized "F You!" I didn't pay attention to anything he said after that, but apparently my "Stop Ice Cruelty" sign set him off according to another protester standiing nearby.
I did notice his wife sitting in the passenger seat though - she kept her head down and looked at her lap the whole time he was yelling. I'm not sure if she was embarassed or simply cowed by a controlling husband. The other protester told me afterwards that there was a kid in the back seat - probably a grandchild. Some role model! 🙄
This is my demographic. I try to reach out to some of them and it’s just maddeningly impossible. The divide is so big that I feel like it’s an alien invasion involving brain worms. Who are these guys? Why are they this way? Would I become brainwashed if I watched Fox all day?
He is literally making me ill with his demented behavior and cruelty. Yesterday, after reading the news, I collapsed with a migraine and slept for about 20 hours straight. I wish I could say I feel better now, but I can't. I'm ready to go back to sleep.
Sorry to read this, Paula -- try and protect your heart from this miserable creep; he and his minions shouldn't have the power to make you ill. They're defective human beings. I wish we could file a class action suit against them, for emotional cruelty.
The shutdown isn’t really affecting me because I’m retired and my healthcare is Medicare but I’ve been there. When my first husband died, my 3 young children were left without healthcare and it was very scary for me. So I stand with the Dems, stand strong for healthcare and throw in a little honesty and integrity! I really don’t have hope right now because SCOUTUS keeps letting him destroy the country as we knew it. He is oblivious to what American citizens are going through and he doesn’t care how much it costs for his golf game if his much a ballroom costs. It’s all about him!
I get it. I don't ever want to see him or his completely unhinged rants again. However, I believe he is just a figurehead and all the decisions are being made by the purveyors of the Heritage Foundation which, as they made clear in their Project 2025, is dedicated to completely dismantling our democracy for their own profit. Keeping Trump golfing will not change the onslaught. He is their puppet and we do not know exactly who pulls their strings, either.
You can’t invoke the 25th amendment to remove an unfit president for playing golf. But we should be able to remove him for treason against the American people. Killing people without due process has already begun. How bad does it have to get before there’s at least an outcry?
We need to invoke Article II, Section 4 of the U.S. Comstitution. Which could apply not only to the President, but also the Vice President as well as his Cabinet members.
I actually learned about this from several other Substack posts. So, now that I know about it, I do try to post it whenever I see someone bring up the 25th Amendment.
This may sound naive, (I’m older, not very tech savvy) but I have tried and succeeded for example in doing a “copy and paste” from a post on SubStack to Facebook ! My page there. 🤷♀️
Also Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. I wish someone in Congress would try enacting it against Trump & his many accomplices in his regime, Congress & SCOTUS.
So far, for my family, there has been little to no impact from the government shut down, probably because the government technically shut down Jan. 20th. But the impact of doubling premiums is on my family’s mind. Two adult daughters with families opted for ACA to keep household budgets functioning and they’re not golfing every weekend! The thought of not being able to insure their children, or pay their mortgage, or heat their homes is imminent. Do republicans know that republicans also live in blue states? Also have household budgets? Also have to feed their families and heat their homes? Winter is coming, how shallow minded and shallow hearted can they be?
⬆️ "But the impact of doubling premiums is on my family’s mind.'
Here is a post that will help explain what is happening to ACA premiums in more granular detail. If you click on the dropdown box in the upper left (above the title), you can see a state-specific analysis for several different scenarios based on the premium increases in each state and the reduced subsidies combined.
This may be more detail than you are interested in and make your eyes gloaze over, but be sure and check out the easily understoop bar charts near the bottom - especially the blue bars vs. orange bars. For some states they are stacked, but if there is some form of state subsidy in play you may see three bars side by side.
FYI, This guy's bread and butter is the ACA - enrollments, premiums, Medicare expansion, etc. He is very reputable and is a super-math nerd! (I can relate to that!) I discovered him during Covid when he was regularly doing detailed anayses of the impact of partisan lean on vaccination rates and Covid outcomes.
It amazes me how many people are oblivious to what’s going on. Yesterday I was with a younger person with a family and he had no idea how terrible the things are that are happening to our Constitution. I tried to enlighten them but they’re busy with work and kids and it’s just Ridiculous. I said the kids aren’t gonna have a democracy if you don’t speak up.
I don’t buy the ‘people are busy’ line. People choose not to be informed. I know plenty of them too. I bet he knows something about something - maybe it’s sports, video games, whatever he’s into. We prioritize the things we care about. He’ll find out when the freedoms he’s taken for granted are suddenly not there for his family. Thanks for trying to give him a dose of reality!
Thank you Scott for the updates I like getting my news here's. I don't trust the corporate media and I haven't watch it for years. I love getting my news from you and independent media here. You all keep it real and honest that why I am on substack and you tube daily. Thank you .
Scott, at this point the only thing Trump’s governing is his golf handicap. The man turned democracy into a sand trap while Newsom is out here unionizing drivers like a real adult.
The GOP’s “paid vacation” Congress must be exhausting. So many naps between press conferences about personal responsibility.
Blessed be the ones who work while the wannabe kings play golf.
This is the message we all need to telling our GOP Reps and Senators when we call them, preferably, daily.
For my GOP Senators, I alse add that I blame them for RFK Jr, Pete Hegseth, Kristi Noem, and all the rest, because these senators voted to confirm them to thei8r cabinet positions!
I believe we the people should have a say on how our tax dollars are being spent, our tax dollars should not be spent on his golf outings, or for that stupid ballroom. How can we the people stop paying taxes supporting something we don’t approve of? We no longer have a voice in our government because the GOP congress has relinquished their authority, which is to represent us.
Personally I have not experienced any issues with the shutdown, however I may if it continues experience delays in my Medicare and social security payments. I had a friend tell me her social security monthly payment was delayed causing her to run short of cash.
I'm sorry to hear that. I am really concerned about seniors whose only source of income is Social Security, as well as people who rely on SNAP benefits. Trump is being very vindictive in the hopes that Democrats will be blamed.
If you are in the financial position to do so, now might be a good time to donate money to a food bank in your area. Lots of people wait until the end of the the year, but there is an acute need now. I make an automactic donation monthly to the food bank, but I added a one-off donation because of the shutdown. I'm sure my contribution is a drop in the bucket, but they need all the help they can get.
My 97 year old husband is in respite in a nursing home. I am at home alone at 80 years of age. Three days ago, our cat of 14 years old disappeared. He was old and ailing and likely will not return. None of these things are of national importance, yet the loss of one cat as my last companion seems like distant screaming about our inflated SSA income, Medicare costs, and even the inability to pay for treatment for a sick cat. And I know I am not in as great a danger as so many others in what is fast becoming a fascist state.
Thanks. It’s almost embarrassing to complain about my life — considering other traumas in the world. But I think these MAGA folks are disgusting. It is so important to them to upend the lives of ordinary people. And for what? Go to Mars? Amass more wealth? Make. Themselves feel more powerful? Well, I guess they might even try for immortality, but can you imagine spending an eternity with that bunch?
I pray that before we have a catastrophic airline accident that the overworked, currently unpaid, air traffic controllers walk off their jobs. Causing a major back up of flights worldwide. That may bring the shutdown to an end.
Yes, Diana,Professor Robert Reich said! The air traffic Controllers should take a stand. Just stop all plane travel as a certain date or something, let airlines know and stop selling tickets or something. Somethong workabkle? So not to cause crashes. Trump and his crew think they have all power, and they never think too far in the future. Nationwide strike? Others have suggested that. Don't pay taxes since they steal our money. Especially blue states. I didn't mean to go on so, sorry just started thinking Down your road, Diana.
Can’t we withhold paying our taxes until the GOP starts working for the American people instead of their billionaire friends? Why should we continue paying for a government that is hell bent on destroying democracy?
Scott i think that is shameful for trump golfing while we are going through a shutdown and to me that wrong and hurting Americans.
The shutdown here in Georgia is causing a lot of problems for everyone starting with layoffs are up cost of living is up and Healthcare is been cutting and business closing. Republican s here don't care like Washington.
I think the Republican s in congress should not be paid down the shutdown included the majority leader in the house and senate.
Democrats are fighting for all Americans and the Republicans are not. Democrats coming back this week and the Republicans not. This should tells everyone who cares and don't care. Thanks for listening
Here is my interview with James Talarico: https://tinyurl.com/mmu4eydj
Tell Congress Campaigns
NEW: Cancel GOP healthcare cuts and end Trump’s shutdown: https://tinyurl.com/2z8s7hdh
Demand Brendan Carr Resign: https://tinyurl.com/35xjx8dj
Demand Tom Homan Resign: https://tinyurl.com/3e5ku3um
Pass the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act: https://tinyurl.com/3yfw2m7a
Demand answers about Trump’s visibly deteriorating health: https://tinyurl.com/sk9xm38v
Protect our use of voting by mail: https://tinyurl.com/bde676xm
Push back on Trump’s DC takeover: https://tinyurl.com/2jpp94yk
Support law to unmask ICE: https://tinyurl.com/bp8cau82
Investigate the Jeffrey Epstein trafficking case: https://tinyurl.com/4pfh2p4f
Links to everything we are doing: https://www.dworkinsubstack.com/p/how-were-fighting-trump
Several links would not load up this morning. Sorry!
I’ll check on that thanks for letting me know Diane!
If trump could golf every day and it not cost millions of dollars at a time, I’d much rather prefer to keep him there.
That whole "Waste, Fraud, Abuse" fake slogan that they used for DOGE to eviscerate the Federal structure is just another projection. They are the waste, fraud, and abuse.
They are always projecting for sure!
I'm okay with the millions of dollars at a time if it shuts him up for even a few days. I'm damn sick of his constant presence in my newsfeed.
Every morning I just check to see if he has had a debilitating stroke and then I don’t want to hear anymore. It’s the cruelty…. I hate that people are still ok with it
I had a stroke in November, the day before the election.
My body knew what was about to happen before anyone else did, apparently. Luckily, not debilitating, mostly just affected my vision.
Anyway, the normal reaction is, "I'd never wish anything like that (or a worse one) on anyone."
My reaction has been: "WTF is taking so long?"
I hope you are feeling better!
Thanks, Scott!
Great Progress! As Borat would say. :-)
I have a friend who is, under normal circumstances, a really nice guy, but he rants—nearly daily—about how awful Democrats are and how we’re mistreating Trump whose only trying to do his job. I really don’t understand. I know that far right news sources give a different slant on what’s happening, but still. . .
I call it "willful ignorance", plain and simple
Why do you still consider this person a friend? Is this someone you are friends with in real life (i.e., see on a regular basis) or simply a FB friend from years ago? If a real-life friend, have you tried to put down your foot and refused to talk politics?
I am no longer in contact with quite a few people like this. (We mostly broke when they bought into MAGA conspiracies about Covid and refused to take any precautions and in at least one case refused to get vaccinated). Being no contact help keeps my blood pressure from spiking and I don't waste energy that can be better spent on more productive activities.
This may not be applicable, but are you aware of the sunk cost fallacy? This article focuses on romantic relationships but I think the principles apply to long-term friendships as well:
https://www.peggybolcoa.com/sunk-cost-fallacy/
I do not respond to his rants, and I continue to post when I choose and what I choose. He is only a casual friend, but nothing that I saw from him was as radical as what he posts nearly daily now. I am simply floored by those who swallow all the MAGA propaganda even while we’re living through the horrors of the latest Trump action.
People like that don't care unless it effects them directly I'm afraid. And he'll probably come up with some twisted logic to blame the Democrats when something does impact him directly.
I have a similar friend. His wife says he has his headphones on, day and night, listening to MAGA podcasts. But he's directly helped people among the classes of folks MAGA hates. On several occasions. He's done this repeatedly, and recently. He doesn't rant to me because he knows I have zero tolerance, but I know he wants to, lol.
Maybe he's trying to keep the peace with his wife.
Yesterday, when I was at a street corner protest, an older white guy rolled down his window and started a diatribe with a non-sanitized "F You!" I didn't pay attention to anything he said after that, but apparently my "Stop Ice Cruelty" sign set him off according to another protester standiing nearby.
I did notice his wife sitting in the passenger seat though - she kept her head down and looked at her lap the whole time he was yelling. I'm not sure if she was embarassed or simply cowed by a controlling husband. The other protester told me afterwards that there was a kid in the back seat - probably a grandchild. Some role model! 🙄
This is my demographic. I try to reach out to some of them and it’s just maddeningly impossible. The divide is so big that I feel like it’s an alien invasion involving brain worms. Who are these guys? Why are they this way? Would I become brainwashed if I watched Fox all day?
I've decided I need to keep an American flag in hand at protests so maga will find it difficult to flip us off or yell profanities at us.
Ask him what things trump has done since in office that have directly benefited him personally - your friend, that is. Also, check out leavingmaga.org
Delores, it's a mind control cult. Sounds unreal, but it's true. Check out the work of Dr. Steven Hassan.
He is literally making me ill with his demented behavior and cruelty. Yesterday, after reading the news, I collapsed with a migraine and slept for about 20 hours straight. I wish I could say I feel better now, but I can't. I'm ready to go back to sleep.
I hope you are feeling better Paula!
Sorry to read this, Paula -- try and protect your heart from this miserable creep; he and his minions shouldn't have the power to make you ill. They're defective human beings. I wish we could file a class action suit against them, for emotional cruelty.
Class action suit is an outstanding idea. Count me in. Where do we start?
Me, too! He's making people sick, distressed or worse while taking away our healthcare. Deliberate malicious cruelty.
🫶healing hugs Paula
🫂
The shutdown isn’t really affecting me because I’m retired and my healthcare is Medicare but I’ve been there. When my first husband died, my 3 young children were left without healthcare and it was very scary for me. So I stand with the Dems, stand strong for healthcare and throw in a little honesty and integrity! I really don’t have hope right now because SCOUTUS keeps letting him destroy the country as we knew it. He is oblivious to what American citizens are going through and he doesn’t care how much it costs for his golf game if his much a ballroom costs. It’s all about him!
⬆️"The shutdown isn’t really affecting me because I’m retired and my healthcare is Medicare..."
I hope that is still the case. Did you see this article?
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/10/02/unitedhealth-cuts-medicare-advantage-plans-after-republicans-slash-healthcare-funding-map/
I get it. I don't ever want to see him or his completely unhinged rants again. However, I believe he is just a figurehead and all the decisions are being made by the purveyors of the Heritage Foundation which, as they made clear in their Project 2025, is dedicated to completely dismantling our democracy for their own profit. Keeping Trump golfing will not change the onslaught. He is their puppet and we do not know exactly who pulls their strings, either.
You can’t invoke the 25th amendment to remove an unfit president for playing golf. But we should be able to remove him for treason against the American people. Killing people without due process has already begun. How bad does it have to get before there’s at least an outcry?
We need to invoke Article II, Section 4 of the U.S. Comstitution. Which could apply not only to the President, but also the Vice President as well as his Cabinet members.
You should share this more widely! Do a post/ news letter/ expand! If this is workable, more need to know. ❤️
I actually learned about this from several other Substack posts. So, now that I know about it, I do try to post it whenever I see someone bring up the 25th Amendment.
This may sound naive, (I’m older, not very tech savvy) but I have tried and succeeded for example in doing a “copy and paste” from a post on SubStack to Facebook ! My page there. 🤷♀️
Also Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. I wish someone in Congress would try enacting it against Trump & his many accomplices in his regime, Congress & SCOTUS.
So far, for my family, there has been little to no impact from the government shut down, probably because the government technically shut down Jan. 20th. But the impact of doubling premiums is on my family’s mind. Two adult daughters with families opted for ACA to keep household budgets functioning and they’re not golfing every weekend! The thought of not being able to insure their children, or pay their mortgage, or heat their homes is imminent. Do republicans know that republicans also live in blue states? Also have household budgets? Also have to feed their families and heat their homes? Winter is coming, how shallow minded and shallow hearted can they be?
Very.
There is essentially no bottom to that repubbie barrel. Unfortunately.
Exactly Cheryl!
⬆️ "But the impact of doubling premiums is on my family’s mind.'
Here is a post that will help explain what is happening to ACA premiums in more granular detail. If you click on the dropdown box in the upper left (above the title), you can see a state-specific analysis for several different scenarios based on the premium increases in each state and the reduced subsidies combined.
This may be more detail than you are interested in and make your eyes gloaze over, but be sure and check out the easily understoop bar charts near the bottom - especially the blue bars vs. orange bars. For some states they are stacked, but if there is some form of state subsidy in play you may see three bars side by side.
https://acasignups.net/ira-subsidy-expiration/
FYI, This guy's bread and butter is the ACA - enrollments, premiums, Medicare expansion, etc. He is very reputable and is a super-math nerd! (I can relate to that!) I discovered him during Covid when he was regularly doing detailed anayses of the impact of partisan lean on vaccination rates and Covid outcomes.
It amazes me how many people are oblivious to what’s going on. Yesterday I was with a younger person with a family and he had no idea how terrible the things are that are happening to our Constitution. I tried to enlighten them but they’re busy with work and kids and it’s just Ridiculous. I said the kids aren’t gonna have a democracy if you don’t speak up.
I don’t buy the ‘people are busy’ line. People choose not to be informed. I know plenty of them too. I bet he knows something about something - maybe it’s sports, video games, whatever he’s into. We prioritize the things we care about. He’ll find out when the freedoms he’s taken for granted are suddenly not there for his family. Thanks for trying to give him a dose of reality!
If they have time to binge watch some series on Netflix or Hulu, they have time to stay informed!
Thank you Scott for the updates I like getting my news here's. I don't trust the corporate media and I haven't watch it for years. I love getting my news from you and independent media here. You all keep it real and honest that why I am on substack and you tube daily. Thank you .
I second that Clifford. Yes, thanks Scott!
Scott, at this point the only thing Trump’s governing is his golf handicap. The man turned democracy into a sand trap while Newsom is out here unionizing drivers like a real adult.
The GOP’s “paid vacation” Congress must be exhausting. So many naps between press conferences about personal responsibility.
Blessed be the ones who work while the wannabe kings play golf.
GOP is Guilty By Association
Republican Congress members are 100% complicit in the daily illegal orders coming out of the White House.
Every GOP member of Congress is ordering ICE and the military to our cities. Every one of them wants this OR THEY WOULD STOP IT.
Every GOP member of Congress wants to take away American’s healthcare. Every one of them wants this OR THEY WOULD STOP IT.
Every GOP member of Congress wants to inflict Tarif Taxes on American farmers, businesses and the American people OR THEY WOULD STOP IT.
Every GOP member of Congress is pro-pedophile OR THEY WOULD GET THE LIST.
Every Republican is GUILTY by association OR THEY WOULD STOP IT THE RUIN OF AMERICA.
This is the message we all need to telling our GOP Reps and Senators when we call them, preferably, daily.
For my GOP Senators, I alse add that I blame them for RFK Jr, Pete Hegseth, Kristi Noem, and all the rest, because these senators voted to confirm them to thei8r cabinet positions!
Truth!
Exactly, Joan!
I believe we the people should have a say on how our tax dollars are being spent, our tax dollars should not be spent on his golf outings, or for that stupid ballroom. How can we the people stop paying taxes supporting something we don’t approve of? We no longer have a voice in our government because the GOP congress has relinquished their authority, which is to represent us.
Excellent point and advice. Let's JUST DO IT!
Personally I have not experienced any issues with the shutdown, however I may if it continues experience delays in my Medicare and social security payments. I had a friend tell me her social security monthly payment was delayed causing her to run short of cash.
I'm sorry to hear that. I am really concerned about seniors whose only source of income is Social Security, as well as people who rely on SNAP benefits. Trump is being very vindictive in the hopes that Democrats will be blamed.
If you are in the financial position to do so, now might be a good time to donate money to a food bank in your area. Lots of people wait until the end of the the year, but there is an acute need now. I make an automactic donation monthly to the food bank, but I added a one-off donation because of the shutdown. I'm sure my contribution is a drop in the bucket, but they need all the help they can get.
My 97 year old husband is in respite in a nursing home. I am at home alone at 80 years of age. Three days ago, our cat of 14 years old disappeared. He was old and ailing and likely will not return. None of these things are of national importance, yet the loss of one cat as my last companion seems like distant screaming about our inflated SSA income, Medicare costs, and even the inability to pay for treatment for a sick cat. And I know I am not in as great a danger as so many others in what is fast becoming a fascist state.
So sorry about your husband and cat. It is hard enough being this old to begin with without djt adding to our worries.
Thanks. It’s almost embarrassing to complain about my life — considering other traumas in the world. But I think these MAGA folks are disgusting. It is so important to them to upend the lives of ordinary people. And for what? Go to Mars? Amass more wealth? Make. Themselves feel more powerful? Well, I guess they might even try for immortality, but can you imagine spending an eternity with that bunch?
I pray that before we have a catastrophic airline accident that the overworked, currently unpaid, air traffic controllers walk off their jobs. Causing a major back up of flights worldwide. That may bring the shutdown to an end.
Yes, Diana,Professor Robert Reich said! The air traffic Controllers should take a stand. Just stop all plane travel as a certain date or something, let airlines know and stop selling tickets or something. Somethong workabkle? So not to cause crashes. Trump and his crew think they have all power, and they never think too far in the future. Nationwide strike? Others have suggested that. Don't pay taxes since they steal our money. Especially blue states. I didn't mean to go on so, sorry just started thinking Down your road, Diana.
Excellent ideas, all.
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/10/02/republican-government-shutdown-increases-flight-safety-risks-map/
Proud to be a paid subscriber. Thank you for everything you do for democracy, Scott. This is a great piece.
Thank you so much Billie!
Boom! Gotta love it!
YES!
Can’t we withhold paying our taxes until the GOP starts working for the American people instead of their billionaire friends? Why should we continue paying for a government that is hell bent on destroying democracy?
Yes, Sherry. I just Said that too! I agree!
Ditto!
Scott i think that is shameful for trump golfing while we are going through a shutdown and to me that wrong and hurting Americans.
The shutdown here in Georgia is causing a lot of problems for everyone starting with layoffs are up cost of living is up and Healthcare is been cutting and business closing. Republican s here don't care like Washington.
I think the Republican s in congress should not be paid down the shutdown included the majority leader in the house and senate.
Democrats are fighting for all Americans and the Republicans are not. Democrats coming back this week and the Republicans not. This should tells everyone who cares and don't care. Thanks for listening