PAMLICO PROGRESSIVES
📬 NEWS FROM THE LEFT
June 27, 2025
GRATITUDE!
Hello Progressives!!!
Is your head still above water? WHAT A WEEK!! Trump is getting more desperate, and desperate people are dangerous. I fear it will get worse before it gets better. BUT, we are seeing signs of life everywhere. Read on..
Let's celebrate and OWN the 4th of July next week!
We need to find ways to make this July 4th not just about hot dogs, parades and fireworks, but one that celebrates the Declaration of Independence and our rejection of and separation from a Mad King. Of all American holidays this one should be our day, and not his. We need to use this day to remind Americans about why we built a political system of We The People that rejected monarchy and oligarchy. We need to turn this day into a celebration of our democracy, our Constitutional order, our flag, our greatness, and his betrayal of it all.
And keep in mind our Declaration of Independence:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." Can you say, "Trump Tea Party"?
News from the Left will return on July 11.
Stronger together,
Diane Lemieux
CALL YOUR SENATORS!! Trump wants to pass this bill by July 4: LET'S BLOCK IT!
Trump's Budget Bill Keeps Taking Hits - Need To Keep Calling Everyone!
Senate Dems are enjoying "Byrd Bath Wins". Senate Dems have been wildly successful in knocking out the worst provisions of the bill in the “Byrd Bath” process; and now we all just need to be relentlessly contacting our Senate and House members and do everything we can to kill this terrible “more for me, less for all of you” Trump billionaire bill.
Oppose H.R. 1: the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (UPDATED 6/26) ⭑ 5 Calls
Senator Ted Budd
B85 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Send an email (202) 224-3154 984-349-5061
Senator Thom Tillis
113 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
Office locations Send an email (202) 224-6342 919-856-4630
RESIST
EVERYDAY ELECTION ACTIVISM OPPORTUNITIES
Here are some alternative ways that you can make a difference, from postcards to phone calls to door knocking and registering voters. Marilyn Hartman
PAMLICO COUNTY
Small and mighty!!
PAMLICO PROGRESSIVES
JUNE 26 5:00-7:00 @Silos
We will be meeting monthly, on the 4th Thursday. Add it to your calendar and come join us!
Join like-minded people to talk about saving democracy, and your social security. Come to GOOD COMPANY at Silos, downstairs, eat pizza, meet your neighbors and talk in a safe space. All party affiliations are welcome.
WALK FOR PEACE
Join community members at the labyrinth each Sunday night at 7:30p, for a group walk focused on peace-making. Whether you’re longing for peace for yourself or a friend, peace in the nation, or world peace, you’re invited to join a group walk dedicated to making peace.
Everyone is welcome. Lou Mac Park, Oriental
ENC COALITION & NC POLITICS
UPCOMING EVENTS
GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON JULY 17 STAY TUNED
John Lewis Leaves Us with his Last Words: “Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation.”
Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of action to respond to the attacks posed on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration and to remind them that in America, the power lies with the people.
Coined by civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis, "Good Trouble" is the act of coming together to take peaceful, non-violent action to challenge injustice and create meaningful change. Good Trouble is marches, protests, service work – any action where communities come together, take a stand against wrongdoings, and speak truth to power.
The civil rights leaders of the past have shown us the power of collective action. That’s why on July 17, five years since the passing of Congressman John Lewis, we’re calling on Americans across the country to Make Good Trouble Together.
Whether you're outraged by attacks on civil rights, the gutting of essential services, disappearances of our neighbors, or the assault on free speech and our right to organize, we invite you to join us in making good trouble.
FOX TAKEDOWN FOXTAKEDOWN.COM
The Fox affiliate (owned by Sinclair) is WFXI at WCTI Channel 12. Located on 225 Glenburnie Dr. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/WCTI-TV
ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
You can help Americans detox from Fox. If Fox is on in any public space—a café, gym, doctor’s office, hotel lobby—ask "please change the channel." Explain that Fox fuels anger that isn’t good for their business. Staying silent when Fox plays in public normalizes its poison. So, SPEAK UP! It’s simple, and it works.
Or take action from home, work, or wherever you are: CONTACT FOX SPONSORS
WhoAdvertisesOn tracks advertisers on Fox "News" to bring accountability to companies funding disinformation. Every month, WhoAdvertisesOn lists three top Fox advertisers and makes it easy to contact them with one-click - by email, Facebook, or Instagram. They provide you with sample text or you can write your own. Tell the funders of Fox Lies to end their sponsorship of hate-for-profit.
Unfox your cable box
Even if you don’t watch Fox, you’re funding their programming. Fox draws enormous revenue by bundling their propaganda machine with entertainment channels, which you pay for monthly through cable subscriptions.
You can demand that your cable provider strip Fox News from
your subscription. Learn more about this movement at #NOFOXFEE.
To block Fox News from your cable plan, you can:
Use the parental lock feature on your TV set to prevent access to Fox News235.
Contact customer service to request removal, but be aware that it may entail losing other channels4.
Or just cancel your cable altogether and sign up for You Tube TV
GERRYMANDERING
Common Cause trial against racial gerrymandering in North Carolina.
We’re challenging discriminatory congressional and legislative voting maps imposed by the Republican-controlled state legislature. These gerrymandered districts illegally weaken the voting power of Black North Carolinians.
On Wednesday, I took the stand on behalf of Common Cause NC and I explained to the court how the legislature’s shameful redistricting process completely failed the people of North Carolina. Along with my testimony, last week the three-judge panel heard from impacted voters, legislators, and political scientists about these discriminatory gerrymanders. Our trial now takes a break until July 8 when the court will be back in session.
Our case is strong because the law and the Constitution are on our side. Common Cause
U.S. POLITICS
Contact Us – The White House
Comments: 202-456-1111
The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
TRUMP WATCH
THESE WORDS BELONG EVERYWHERE:
IMPEACH
CONVICT
REMOVE
This week's deplorable acts:
A federal appeals court allowed President Donald Trump to maintain control of 4,000 California National Guard troops as legal challenges brought by the state continue. Democracy Docket
The House of Representatives: The House recently passed legislation to eliminate the next two years of federal funding for public media outlets, including NPR and PBS. This was a narrow, largely party-line vote. The Senate: The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Sign the Petition to the Senate: Trump’s attacks on PBS and NPR are attempts to silence independent media. We must protect free, fact-based journalism and ensure access to trusted programming for all Americans.
Donald Trump just sued 15 federal judges – every single one in the state of Maryland. Why? Because they’re doing their jobs – enforcing constitutional protections that Donald Trump and Stephen Miller don’t agree with.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was wrongly removed from the U.S. earlier this year, is set to remain in jail for at least a few more days as his attorneys and federal prosecutors determine whether he’ll be deported if released.
United States of America v. North Carolina State Board of Elections An anti-voting lawsuit from the Trump administration challenging incomplete voter registrations in North Carolina. The U.S. Department of Justice is suing North Carolina over its alleged failure to maintain accurate voter lists as required by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).
The Supreme Court’s order pausing a preliminary injunction against Trump’s policy of third-country removals without due process will undoubtedly fire up his brutal deportation machine, and embolden administration officials to continue to flout court orders restraining it. TPM
The House of Representatives voted to rescind $1.1 billion in previously approved federal funding for public broadcasting, and the Senate has a July 18 deadline to vote on the cuts and make them final. Reich
New Requirements and Red Tape for the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. The Child Tax Credit and EITC are popular because they work. They have cut child poverty, increased household income, and strengthened America’s working and middle class. They are such successful policies that few politicians directly oppose them. But Republicans see a way to free up money for tax cuts for the rich by adding new and burdensome requirements to make it harder to access these tax credits. Buttigieg
Blocking You from Directly Filing Your Taxes: Do you love doing your taxes, and find the existing IRS process easy to work with? Me neither. There’s a solution in the form of a new free tax-filing program that allows Americans to file their taxes directly - but Republicans are looking to kill it. Buttigieg
Putting More Gun Silencers On the Street. House Republicans have even figured out a way to use this tax bill to worsen gun violence. Right now, there is a registration requirement and a tax associated with purchasing a silencer. But the Republican megabill would eliminate this registration process altogether. Buttigieg
See how Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ will change your taxes and finances - Washington Post
MAGA Murder Bill talking points in a free Big Stage Teleprompter
BUT
Approval ratings plummet. The Ipsos/Reuters poll conducted from June 21 to 23 found the president’s approval rating at -16 points, down from -12 a week prior. The American Research Group poll conducted from June 17-20 put the number at -21, down from -14 in May.
A whistleblower came forward alleging that top DoJ official Emil Bove told his staff they may have to say “f**k you” to court orders. He is now nominated to be a federal appeals court judge.
Trump is struggling and unpopular. Despite his efforts to wag the dog - immigration escalation, his sad parade, Iran - his poll numbers just keep dropping and he just had the worst week of polling of his second term. The circle of defiance keeps growing, he keeps losing in court, the people of America and the world aren’t bending the knee, and he looks far more like a painted clown than an American President. Whatever scenario one can imagine for beating him and mitigating the damage he is doing starts with his losing his grip on the public - and right now we are there. Hopium
Welcome to the MESSY era! 1) We are clearly now entering a new post-Clinton/Obama/Biden political era in the center-left, pro-democracy coalition 2) We are in the early stages of this new era, and it is likely to feel “messy” as new leaders emerge, new ideas tested and new tactics are tried 3) We should welcome this “messy” period of experimentation, competition and debate as it is the only way we can effectively grow, evolve and improve 4) there is far more experimentation and innovation happening in our coalition today than is widely understood. Hopium
The Byrd Rule, named after Senator Robert Byrd, is a Senate rule that restricts the content of reconciliation legislation in the United States Congress. It essentially prevents extraneous provisions from being included in reconciliation bills, ensuring they focus on budgetary matters. Here’s what the Senate Parliamentarian (Elizabeth MacDonough) struck under the Byrd Rule:
- State cost-sharing for SNAP: States won’t be forced to pay part of food stamp costs.
- Massive bond requirement for suing the federal government: Struck as non-budgetary.
- Defunding the CFPB: Gone.
- Merging PCAOB into the SEC: Deregulation effort removed.
- Postal Service EV sell-off mandate: Removed.
- Cutting NEPA environmental reviews for oil/gas projects: Struck.
- Land sale & mining giveaways (like the Alaskan road): Removed.
- Judicial bond requirement from REINS Act: Also struck. Facebook · Alt National Park ServiceA federal court in Massachusetts granted a preliminary injunction blocking Donald Trump’s attempt to give himself sweeping power to set the rules for future elections.
California, Nevada and seventeen other states sued to stop him, and were granted this preliminary injunction by the court, whose ruling cited the amicus brief CREW filed earlier this year on behalf of a bipartisan group of former secretaries of state. CREW HQ
ISRAEL VS IRAN
After days of boasts and actual facts, the truth is that the Iran nuclear site attacks have only delayed them by three months, and they have pushed Iran away from the negotiation table and into a faster timetable for building a viable nuclear weapon.
Zohran Mamdani Delivers Stunning Blow to 'Billionaire-Backed Status Quo' in NYC
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani prevailed in Tuesday's Democratic mayoral primary in New York City after running a grassroots campaign centered on delivering transformative change and lower costs in the expensive metropolis.
What is a Democratic Socialist?
Democratic socialism is a political ideology that combines democratic governance with socialist economic principles. It envisions a society where the means of production are owned or controlled by the public, rather than privately, and where economic activity is planned and regulated to serve social needs, all within a democratic framework that includes free and fair elections, individual liberties, and the protection of minority rights.
FASCISM PROGRESSES REPEAT 3rd time
Can you tell where we are? How worried are you?
The stages of fascism, as outlined by scholar Robert Paxton, illustrate the progression of fascism from a movement to a regime and its potential decline or transformation and include the following:
Creation of a Fascist Movement: This stage involves the formation of a political movement that seeks to gain power through mass mobilization and the use of propaganda.
Fascist Takeover: The movement gains power, often through elections or violent means, establishing a regime that suppresses opposition.
Consolidation of Power: The regime consolidates its power by eliminating political rivals, controlling the media, and instilling fear among the populace.
Radicalization: The regime becomes more extreme in its policies, often engaging in militarism and expansionism, and may resort to violence against perceived enemies.
Decline or Transformation: The fascist regime may decline due to internal contradictions, external pressures, or may transform into a different form of governance.
The reason these democratic socialist candidates are able to excite voters is not (necessarily)because they are democratic socialists. It’s because, not actually being Democrats, they are not “required” to run overly technocratic, conventional-wisdom-bound political campaigns that actual Democrats seem to be “required” to run. That, and they are not afraid to stand up for workers and speak out against the escalating exploitation of workers that is driving discontent across our country. Antonia Scatton on Mamdani primary win
Dem Sen. Elizabeth Warren slammed GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell after he said people who lose their healthcare will “get over it.” Warren stated: “No one will ‘get over’ losing a loved one because Republicans in Congress failed them.” LISTEN to Cory Booker tell McConnell who "won't get over it" HERE.
“THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." Thomas Paine
"In the words of Nelson Mandela, 'It always seems impossible until it is done,'" he added. "My friends, we have done it." Mamdani
"the people of New York City proved that a movement powered by hope, courage, and working people can beat the money of billionaires." "Pundits, billionaires, and the political establishment said it couldn't be done. But this campaign shattered that belief." Sunrise Movement
"This race was a showdown between the billionaire-backed status quo—which poured tens of millions into pro-Cuomo super PACs—and a new generation ready to crush corporate greed and deliver real results for working people. The demand for people-powered change is loud, clear, and unstoppable." Our Revolution
A REMARKABLE MESSAGE Robert Reich on Dr. Pru Lee's advice. It says it's from Liz Cheney but it's not. YOU NEED TO READ THIS:
Dear Democratic Party,
I need more from you.
You keep sending emails begging for $15, while we’re watching fascism consolidate power in real time..........
A whole new network of pro-democracy legal orgs have emerged to defend our Constitutional order, led by the 23 intrepid Dem AGs
We are learning how to mass protest, do Tesla take downs, contact our Reps and Senators daily, do empty chair town halls in red districts, pass resolutions of condemnation across the US.
New leaders are emerging, rising to the moment, breaking though (Newsom, Pritzker, Crockett, Murphy, Frost, AOC, Booker, Slotkin, Mamdani, etc) Hopium
Harvard University has announced that, starting next year, undergraduate students from families earning $100,000 or less will receive full financial coverage.
This will include tuition, room and board, health insurance, travel, and other essentials, along with one-time grants of $2,000 in their first and junior years.
Those from families earning up to $200,000 will have tuition fully covered, with additional aid tailored to their needs.MEIDAS TOUCH HIT 5 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS!
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., introduced a bill with Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour.
A federal judge ruled all transgender and intersex people can obtain passports that align with their gender identity while the case against Trump’s EO proceeds.
Voters of Tomorrow plans to invest $3 million in hiring campus organizers and supporting local youth organizations in 18 Congressional districts where young voters will be the margin of victory in 2026.
A federal judge ruled it was illegal for the Trump administration to cancel several hundred research grants, adding that the cuts raise serious questions about racial discrimination.
The FDA just approved a long-lasting injection to prevent HIV.
Eight senators, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), wrote a letter to the Democratic Party’s leaders calling on them to reject billionaire money by removing super PAC and dark money spending from Democratic primaries.
A federal court granted an injunction to stop HHS’s unlawful termination of grants that the plaintiffs and their public health workforce rely on to protect against infectious diseases and pandemics. The injunction will require HHS to issue the grants while the litigation proceeds.
The Onion has a full page ad in today’s New York Times print edition featuring part of an editorial titled, “Congress, Now More Than Ever, Our Nation Needs Your Cowardice.” It’s “meant to highlight the utter fecklessness of this country’s lawmakers.”
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
Federal Legislators
US House 3rd District Representative Dr. Greg Murphy
407 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Office locations RepGregMurphy@mail.house.gov Send an email (202) 225-3415
Senator Ted Budd
B85 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Send an email (202) 224-3154 984-349-5061
Senator Thom Tillis
113 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
Office locations Send an email (202) 224-6342 919-856-4630
State Legislators
Rep. Keith Kidwell NC House District 79
16 West Jones Street, Rm. 1206, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096
Send an email: Keith.Kidwell@ncleg.gov 919-733-5881
NC Senate District 1 Sen. Norm Sanderson
300 N. Salisbury Street, Rm. 309, Raleigh, NC 27603
Send an email: Norman.Sanderson@ncleg.gov 919-733-5706
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