On Sunday, March 9, many Democrats attended the “Conversation with Lauren Underwood” event at the Joliet Electrical Workers Training Center. The room was packed with both younger and older folks who are concerned about what is happening to our nation and how it will impact their lives. Attendees included citizens from several counties, which included some federal workers and veterans who are angry about cuts to the VA. Lauren mentioned the farmers in District 14 who are concerned about how the tariffs and the cuts to public schools and agencies that help the poor will affect the sale of their crops. Many of these farms have been in the same family for generations, but huge losses in sales and cuts in agricultural funding could cause them to lose their family homes and farms.
The actions of Musk and Trump are an assault on democracy. Their plan is to “flood the zone” by taking steps that are frustrating and overwhelming to working Americans. Their actions include purging the FBI, dismantling the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau, freezing federal funding for agencies that help the poor in our country and overseas, cutting VA healthcare workers and stating there will be more cuts, replacing top military staff, pausing aid and security information to Ukraine, siding with Putin in the war against Ukraine, abolishing all DEI programs, and alienating countries that have been our allies for a hundred years. Trump also wants to abolish the Department of Education, which will be devastating to public education throughout the U.S., and even more so in low-income areas.
Some of Trump’s actions are illegal. Executive orders cannot overturn federal law. Throughout our nation, state attorneys general are challenging illegal executive orders with lawsuits, such as the order to end birthright citizenship. Members of Congress cannot file these types of lawsuits, but state attorneys general and directors of agencies can. In some cases, federal judges have issued injunctions to stop what is happening.
What are some steps that we can take? Remember that “We the people” have the power. Trump responds to negative publicity about what he is doing and pressure to change his actions. We can call Republican members of Congress and tell them to vote no to Trump’s plans. Express our displeasure and let them know that America is watching how they vote. Help to educate the public on social media by posting what is happening. Many people do not watch the news and do not realize the cuts that are taking place. It may be 4 to 6 weeks before these cuts begin to affect some Americans, and we can let people know ahead of time what is happening.
A government shutdown may be ahead of us in March. Republicans are planning to introduce a budget that will fund the government for six months. Unfortunately, the bill does not cover funding for Social Security and Medicare. The bill will need Democratic support to pass in the Senate. We need to support Democrats as they stand up to save our important institutions. No one wants a government shutdown, and Republicans will blame Democrats for taking a stand. However, we cannot allow Republicans to push through a bill that will hurt elderly Americans dependent on Social Security and Medicare.
Remember that local elections are taking place April 1st. And early voting has already started in your county. Make sure you vote in the municipal elections., and let your neighbors know that there is an election. The MAGA followers are running for seats on library boards and school boards so that they can ban books and affect the education of our children. Research the candidates running for local elections. If you are unsure about the candidates, check your county’s Democrat website and talk to Democrats in your community. We the people can demonstrate our power by voting in every election.
