“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
- RFK
Lots of people are starting to step up.
So there’s a lot of kudos to give out this week.
Individuals. Groups.
Jasmine Crockett and Chris Murphy are on fire.
But this week, I’m honoring those everyday patriots whose actions changed the conversation in America over the past week. And began to, as RFK said, send ripples of hope and passion and energy around the nation, building as they spread.
These folks held feet to the fire that needed to be held to that fire.
They spoke truth to power. And refused to be fed BS.
They brought some much needed accountability.
And they made it clear how unprepared politicians are to face needed accountability, and a few unscripted questions from everyday Americans.
Importantly, these patriots SHOWED the rest of America what that accountability looks like. So, quickly, other Americans repeated their actions…and will hopefully only do so more going forward.
Who am I talking about?
I’m talking about the good people who showed up at the first few town hall meetings last week hosted by several GOP House members.
Like this one, in Georgia, late last week, where a big crowd showed and blasted Rep. Rich McCormick—who sputtered his way through tough questions and expressions of disgust, and insulted his own constituents as TV cameras captured it all:
Then a few days later, came this town hall in rural Missouri, where a Congressman apparently told laid off workers that being fired by a billionaire was part of God’s plan. Not sure that impressed anyone, whether church-going or not.
But that was just the beginning.
Democratic House members also had town halls all over the country, and those were absolutely packed as well. These fired-up crowds steeled these members to do even more in the fight.
Look at this crowd in Jason Crow’s district!
And then what happened?
These meetings were so big, and so boisterous, they emerged as a major story. So even amid budget negotiations and his horrible budget deal, Speaker Mike Johnson himself had to respond to questions about them:
And like his members, the Speaker managed to insult citizens in his response, accusing them of being paid:
This is a good time to remind you that neither Johnson nor most of these members have ever been in a real election in their entire careers—thanks to gerrymandering and uncontested races.
When they seem out of touch with everyday Americans, it’s because they are. And that became clear across the country. The narrative changed!
Spreading
And one more implication started to play out.
I saw it myself, last night, in person.
The sight of these initial town halls and people speaking out in other ways have inspired others to join the fight.
Last night in deep red Ashland County, I spoke to the county Democrats gathered for a Soup and Sundae dinner. (Btw, we need more Sundae-themed events!)
And it was packed:
They applauded when I mentioned the town halls—they’d all seen them too.
And two speakers talked about their own plans to take similar actions: protesting Tesla stores and showing up at the offices of sitting GOP House members.
At one point the party chair declared: “I don’t care if I have to drive two hours. They’re gonna hear from me.”
The applauding room clearly agreed, ready to make the same drive.
I have no doubt similar scenes are playing out everywhere, and it’s clear that the footage of those initial town halls helped fuel the passion to get out there.
Thank you to all those who showed up and got it all started. It mattered! And the bigger these get, the more they will matter.
Keep going everyone!
Day 88 — February 27, 2025
If any one story captures the danger, inept and true idiocy of these first Trump/Musk/DOGE months, it is the following story and headline: “Trump officials race to rehire bird flu employees as egg prices skyrocket: “I don’t know if people are going to want to come back,” said one USDA employee.
Honestly, I have nothing to add.
Keep building the ripples!! And please share with me what actions you are taking and seeing in your communities…
