by SANDI R
Good News in the midst of the Chaos
In spite of the madness around us, I purposefully seek out good news and heros. One of my sources is Jess Craven’s Substack site “Chop Wood Carry Water”. Each Sunday, she posts good works from politicians and citizens. Some that resonated with me are as follows:
1 In an unexpected win for antitrust, one of the Republican commissioners remaining on the Federal Trade Commission will save the agency’s investigation into pharmacy benefit managers by unrecusing himself from the case. In case you aren’t aware, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) are middlemen who profit from high drug prices.
2 Sen. Richard Blumenthal announced that he plans to place a hold on ALL Trump nominees going forward. Sen. Brian Schatz is placing holds on over 50 Trump nominees. He has also placed holds on all nominations at the State Department, bringing his total to over 300 positions. Bravo! Senator Adam Schiff called on Congress to investigate whether President Donald Trump engaged in insider trading or market manipulation when he abruptly paused a sweeping set of tariffs, a move that sent stock prices skyrocketing. Contact these Senators and tell them you support them (even if you aren’t a constituent!)
3 The Trump administration restored USAID emergency food programs in Lebanon, Syria, Somalia, Jordan, Iraq, and Ecuador. I’m generally not a fan of this Administration, but when something right is done, I have to acknowledge it.
4 The U.S. solar industry has stockpiled 50 GW of imported equipment, which will help it stave off the impact of President Trump’s tariffs.
5 Some House Freedom Caucus members are apparently warming to the idea of a new 40% tax bracket for those earning $1 million or more to offset some new tax cuts. YES, you read that right. Contact the House Freedom Caucus members and let them know you support this. And again, these are not my ‘tribe’ in the House, but if what they advocate is good for Americans, I have to give them credit.
6 In Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, police have recommended criminal charges—including battery and false imprisonment—against the security team who brutally dragged Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl out of a town hall in February. Private security in blackshirts have no right to stop Americans from expressing their First Amendment rights. In Couer d’Alene this is a huge step.
Please stay safe, stay calm, stay in community and remember to look for the Good News!
Good News in the midst of the Chaos
In spite of the madness around us, I purposefully seek out good news and heros. One of my sources is Jess Craven’s Substack site “Chop Wood Carry Water”. Each Sunday, she posts good works from politicians and citizens. Some that resonated with me are as follows:
1 In an unexpected win for antitrust, one of the Republican commissioners remaining on the Federal Trade Commission will save the agency’s investigation into pharmacy benefit managers by unrecusing himself from the case. In case you aren’t aware, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) are middlemen who profit from high drug prices.
2 Sen. Richard Blumenthal announced that he plans to place a hold on ALL Trump nominees going forward. Sen. Brian Schatz is placing holds on over 50 Trump nominees. He has also placed holds on all nominations at the State Department, bringing his total to over 300 positions. Bravo! Senator Adam Schiff called on Congress to investigate whether President Donald Trump engaged in insider trading or market manipulation when he abruptly paused a sweeping set of tariffs, a move that sent stock prices skyrocketing. Contact these Senators and tell them you support them (even if you aren’t a constituent!)
3 The Trump administration restored USAID emergency food programs in Lebanon, Syria, Somalia, Jordan, Iraq, and Ecuador. I’m generally not a fan of this Administration, but when something right is done, I have to acknowledge it.
4 The U.S. solar industry has stockpiled 50 GW of imported equipment, which will help it stave off the impact of President Trump’s tariffs.
5 Some House Freedom Caucus members are apparently warming to the idea of a new 40% tax bracket for those earning $1 million or more to offset some new tax cuts. YES, you read that right. Contact the House Freedom Caucus members and let them know you support this. And again, these are not my ‘tribe’ in the House, but if what they advocate is good for Americans, I have to give them credit.
6 In Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, police have recommended criminal charges—including battery and false imprisonment—against the security team who brutally dragged Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl out of a town hall in February. Private security in blackshirts have no right to stop Americans from expressing their First Amendment rights. In Couer d’Alene this is a huge step.
Please stay safe, stay calm, stay in community and remember to look for the Good News!
Good News
Finding Gratitude: In these upside-down times, let’s seek out and express gratitude for those who are fighting the good fight in so many ways. While “We The People” will be the ultimate defenders of democracy, it’s easy to get dejected.
No TV or newspaper subscriptions in my home. Instead, the power of the Internet has ‘long reads’ and thoughtful commentary. Sharing ‘good news’ and acts of courage uplifts us. Links will always be included for you to watch, read or find additional information. Learning is power.
SESAME STREET FUNDING: Rep. Greg Casar of TX (yes!) gave testimony at Marjorie Taylor Green’s DOGE committee hearing, contrasting NPR and PBS funding to the current Administration’s spending. Clear, concise and gets the message across.
https://substack.com/@adelelewis511898/note/c-103754480?r=nxxae
RENEWABLE ENERGY: in the first week of March alone, Texas’ ERCOT power grid, which supplies nearly the entire state, set three records: most wind production, most solar production, and greatest battery discharge.
Texas broke some green energy records
Let’s start filling our gratitude jar for all actions (big or small) that allow us to breath and be grateful.