📢 America Supports Progress — Not Republicans Who Hold Us Hostage and Complicit Democrats

Friends, Republicans—led by Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, and their billionaire backers—are holding our nation hostage. But what’s worse is when Democrats join them.Yesterday’s Senate vote proved it again: Dick Durbin (IL), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Maggie Hassan (NH), Tim Kaine (VA), Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), Jacky Rosen (NV), John Fetterman (PA), and Angus King (I-ME) sided with Trump and Republicans in the Senate to advance a stopgap deal that strips healthcare from millions, punishes working families, and rewards obstruction.They claim they’re “keeping government running.”But what kind of government are they keeping alive?One that defunds healthcare and leaves millions sick or dying without treatment.One that silences dissent, targeting journalists, activists, and everyday Americans who dare to speak truth to power.One that fires career civil servants who refuse to pledge loyalty to a single man instead of the Constitution.One that locks up our friends and family members, criminalizing immigrants, protesters, and the poor.One that starves children and seniors, gutting SNAP and social programs to fund tax breaks for billionaires.One that ignores the rule of law, protecting corruption and rewarding cruelty.And one that enriches the powerful at the expense of the people, selling out our democracy for profit.This isn’t “keeping government running.”They didn’t vote to keep government open for the people—they voted to keep it open for the powerful. They legitimized an illegitimate hostage situation.🔥 This Isn’t New—It’s a Pattern of BetrayalI often tell people I’m a pinky toe Democrat—and stunts like this are why. Right now, that pinky toe is all they’ve earned until they start standing up for the people again. Friendly reminder: these Democrats also sided with Republicans over the people’s will:* Joe Manchin (WV) supported President Donald Trump‘s border wall and immigration policies and blocked voting-rights reform (Wikipedia).* Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) protected corporate donors over the people’s will (Vox).* In 2023, 33 Senate Democrats joined Republicans to overturn D.C.’s justice reforms (Dcist).* And in 2025, 12 Democrats backed the Laken Riley Act, a bill that did nothing to fix immigration (Common Dreams).* And don’t get me started on Schumer’s budget vote siding with Republicans earlier this yearEach of these betrayals chips away at democracy and hands victory to extremists who reject the will of the people. When Democrats echo Republican cruelty, they blur the moral line between governing and enabling.⚖️ Power Over PeopleThis isn’t about partisanship—it’s about priorities. Every time “moderate” Democrats side with Trump’s enablers, they validate a false equivalence between compromise and capitulation.Real compromise seeks solutions for the common good.Capitulation gives extremists control over our democracy. We leave ourselves exposed for more hostage taking.Republicans aren’t governing—they’re dominating. They use shutdowns, threats, and fear to dismantle progress from healthcare to reproductive freedom. And every Democrat who goes along with them becomes complicit in that harm.🌎 The Hope: America Still Believes in ProgressNow for the good news: most Americans support progress—not the cruelty of Republican extremism or the cowardice of complicit Democrats.Polling from The New York Times shows broad support for reproductive rights, expanded healthcare, climate action, and worker protections (NYT).The people are ahead of the politicians. Despite disinformation and fear, Americans want a fairer, freer nation that invests in communities, not corporations.But power remains concentrated in the hands of Christian conservatives and MAGA extremists who reject democratic consensus. They dream of an autocratic theocracy—a nation ruled by oligarchs, where faith is coerced and freedom conditional.That’s why People Power matters—because real change doesn’t come from Washington; it comes from us.We Have the Message. Now We Need Messengers.At People Power United, we fight for what most Americans already believe in:* Dignity — housing, healthcare, and education for all.* Opportunity — for every person, regardless of age, race, gender, sexuality, pronouns, religion, or job status.* Safety — clean air, clean water, and communities free from gun violence.This is our what. But what we need more of is our who. That means all of us—every organizer, every volunteer, every voice willing to rise up and say: enough.Too many pundits say, “The message isn’t working.” The truth is, not enough people are delivering it. We also need to do a better job of electing and holding our leaders accountable to the will of the people. America’s story isn’t written by politicians—it’s written by people. And we are taking our power back.💥 Urgent Calls to Action to Protect Democracy:* Click here to Denounce the 8 Dems Who Caved to the GOP on Healthcare Costs* Click here to sign up for the People Power United social media team to hold leaders accountable to the will of the people.* Click here to upgrade or gift a subscription* Here at People Power United we do zero fundraising but if you have a few bucks please Click here to donate to progressive champions that champion progress and power to the peopleTogether, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power UnitedWhat We’ve Built Together at People Power United✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly People Power United subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newsletter.peoplepowerunited.org/subscribe