To the editor:
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, afraid of pushback from constituents, has directed members of Congress not to hold town hall meetings to discuss their budget proposal or the ham-handed chainsaw massacre that is underway with DOGE/Elon Musk. Democrats are in a tizzy over the fact that they have no power, no leadership, and no way to fight back.
Well, here is a way! Hold open town hall or other public meetings in Republican-held districts to explain to their voters how the cutting of Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP and the wholesale elimination of government employees, programs, and agencies will take away the health and other benefits they depend upon to survive. Do it in every district and invite the incumbent to participate (be sure to publicize those who decline). Point out how the firing of every civilian employee of the federal government would not save enough money to pay for even one quarter of the tax cut for the billionaire donors and wealthy individuals and corporations that the Republicans are putting forward!
Video and post every one of the meetings.
Do you think it might get some attention? Democrats cannot wait until the midterm elections to effectively counter Republican control of the House, Senate, and the executive branch of our government. They must act now!
Here’s some budget context worth noting:
- $4.5 trillion tax cut over 10 years
- $2.5 trillion to top 10 percent of taxpayers, half of that to top one percent (average adjusted gross income = $2.5 million)
- Adds $3 trillion to the deficit
- Includes $2 trillion in spending cuts including $880 billion from the Energy & Commerce Committee which controls Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP (total annual Medicaid spending = $900 billion)
- Each congressional district has an average of 150,000 to 200,000 individuals receiving these benefits.
- More than 75 million people (more than 20 percent of the population—higher in red districts) receive Medicaid related benefits
- Almost 50 percent of children in this country benefit from the CHIP program
- Food insecurity is made even worse by the rising prices we will continue to see related to tariffs
- Total annual federal civilian payroll = $110 billion
During Trump’s first term, successful resistance was led by angry voters, not party leaders. It is time to do it again! Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family around the country.
Arthur Peisner
New Marlborough
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