Care over Cuts
Freedom Writers - National - 10/4/25
Hello, Freedom Writers! We’re so glad you’re here!
In Today’s Post:
CARE over CUTS - Messaging Matters, and the faster we can align around “CARE over CUTS”, the better.
Feeling Depressed? You’re not alone. - Try doing these 3 things each day.
October 18th - The stakes keep getting higher!
INFO SHEETS - For Your Information
CARE over CUTS - Messaging Matters and the faster we can align around “CARE over CUTS”, the better.
This government shutdown is really a SHOWDOWN between billionaires who want TAX CUTS, and the rest of us who want AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE.
So this phrase, “CARE over CUTS” — let’s adopt it as our mantra and hope that the DEMs catch on ( ! )
Meanwhile, back in The Whitehouse, Trump has completely surrounded himself with people who tell him ONLY what he wants to hear, so we can assume he is clueless about how the country is reacting to the shutdown.
For those of us who care about facts, here are the latest approval ratings:
As of Saturday, Oct 4 at 8:02 AM EDT, From Yahoo News
Real Clear Polling‘s average of polls from Sept. 15 to Oct. 2 shows a 44.9% approval and 53.1% disapproval rate.
According to the most recent Gallup poll, Trump’s job approval rating was at 40%.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll from Sept. 19 to Sept. 21 reported that 41% of those surveyed gave him a favorable approval rating of his performance in office and 58% gave an unfavorable rating.
The New York Times daily average of polls showed a 43% approval and 54% disapproval as of Oct 3.
A poll from the Associated Press and NORC showed 39% approve and 60% disapprove of Trump.
The Economist shows that 40% of people are favorable of Trump and 55% are unfavorable of him, as of Oct. 3.
A Rasmussen Reports poll from Oct. 3 showed 46% approval and 52% disapproval of Trump.
A Morning Consult poll, updated Sept. 29, showed 46% of voters approve of Trump’s performance, while 52% disapprove.
The American Research Group poll from Sept. 22 showed 37% approve and 58% disapprove.
… Summary: NOW is the time! We have both the MOMENTUM, and we have the MESSAGE.
Post and share the phrase “CARE over CUTS” as far and wide as you can!
And call your Congress People, be they DEMS or MAGA, everyday to urge them to hold the line for “CARE over CUTS,” using this script:
Script:
Please personalize your message with 1–2 sentences about why access to affordable healthcare matters to you or your family before you make these calls.
Get your 1 US Rep’s and 2 US Senators’ Contact Information HERE. _________________________
Hello, this is [Your Name] and I live at [Your Complete Mailing Address including Zip].Thank you, [Senator/Representative’s Name], for taking my call.
Trump is losing in the polls, and it’s only a matter of time before he implodes over this disastrous shutdown. Meanwhile, I want YOU to stay strong and put CARE over CUTS. Vote NO on any CR that sacrifices affordable healthcare in order to give billionaires more tax cuts.
Americans deserve affordable healthcare! [Add your 1-2 personal sentences here.]
Please, urge your colleagues to support CARE over CUTS along with you! The American people are watching this carefully and we will regard your votes as the measure of your service.
Thank you, in advance, for thinking about what’s best for YOUR CONSTITUENTS instead of what’s best for BILLIONAIRES.
Please get back to me to let me know how you plan to vote. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
Please: Call. Every. Day. During the shutdown.
Granted, this is unfortunate. At this point in time, we need to become a nation who calls their F*#!ing elected officials everyday, don’t we? This is what democracy looks like. This is what fighting fascism looks like. Let’s just get over it and do it. Because it matters. Messaging matters.
And we are going to win this fight if we have to die trying.
Thank you, Freedom Writers, for helping us save our democracy,
EB Freed and Billy J
Feeling Depressed? You’re not alone. - Try doing these 3 things each day.
It’s not easy surviving a dictatorhsip. I myself, had to battle several bouts of depression this week. That doesn’t mean we’re weak. It just means we’re human.
One minute I was lamenting the demise of our 250-year-old-democracy, and the next I was worrying about the price of groceries, my job, my healthcare, my home, my family … and if you’re a woman, an immigrant, a person of color, LGBTQ+ or disabled, you’ve got worries … on top of worries … on top of worries.
But remember:
Isolation fuels depression
… depression fuels inaction
… and inaction fuels Fascism
Simply put: NONE OF US CAN AFFORD to be isolated during this critical period of our nation’s history. Our country needs us. And we need each other. And we NEED to come together to fight Fascism.
Here are 3 things that I have found to be effective:
Spend at least 1 hour/day in community with supportive, like minded people. Not on your phone, but in person. Go to a stand out. Volunteer at/attend a Special Olympics event. Participate in a community theater production or other arts related project. Make it a routine to meet your friends for breakfast. Find a way to remind yourself DAILY that there are THOUSANDS of good people out there who are trying to deal with this horrible nightmare just like you are.
Don’t be surprised if you learn they need you just as much as you need them.
Limit your consumption of news to 1 hour/day. You need to stay informed, yes, but seriously, how long does that take? You should be able to get the gist of a day’s news in an hour. If you make the mistake of spending endless hours consuming it, you run the risk of it consuming you.
A daily diet of heartbreak from this fascist take-over will make you more anxious, and LESS active unless you balance it out with good. Consider switching/rotating to more nuetral news sources like NPR and C-SPAN, if you haven’t already. NPR, incidentally, really needs your support right now, if you’re not already supporting them. And, Ken Burns has created a beautiful documentary on PBS call “The American Revolution” which premeres Nov. 16th. We should ALL be supporting that in every way we can!
CONTINUE TO STAY ACTIVE … IN SMALL DOSES, if that’s what works right now. Action really IS the antidote for depression, so even if you only spend 15 min a day, it will make a difference.
Make the calls to your congress people every day with the script we provided in the “CARE over CUTS” section above.
Then try to carve out some time to create signs and plans for Oct 18th, which promises to be our biggest day of community action yet!
But, please, keep your actions balanced with what you can handle. Because we need you all. In tact. Able. Focus on what you can realistically do and ONLY what you can realistically do.
Remember: when you’re on a flight, they always say, “Put your air mask on before you try to help others put their air masks on.” You need to be whole, before you can help others. Take care of yourself first, so you will be more effective.
These are trying times. We need to pace ourselves and prepare. If we’re going to attain the 3.5% goal of the population who are ready to go out into the streets a moments’ notice, day after day if need be, we need to take this “preparation” stuff seriously. Pack your backpack with your protest signs. Make your plans, but also: know your limitations. That will help you stay calm.
And calm — which allows you to think clearly — is what is required to defeat Fascism.
Thank you for helping us save our (almost 250 YEARS) of democracy!
- EBFreed
October 18th - The stakes keep getting higher!
As we tumble headlong into the Trump Dictatorship, the imperative for courageous resistance only increases.
If you haven’t signed up to join one of the thousands of nationwide protests on October 18th yet, NOW IS THE TIME. CLICK HERE.
INFO SHEETS - For Your Information
If you’re new to the Freedom Writers, WELCOME! Check out these INFO SHEETS with lots of great background information:
INFO SHEET: Get Started - Taking Action with Indivisible - Get the most up-to-date information about what is happening in your area through a local Indivisible group!
INFO SHEET: Keeping Your Cool Under the Trump Regime - Access reliable, free news when it counts the most!
INFO SHEET: How to Contact Your Elected Officials - Find out why we act the way we act.
Three AOC Videos About the Importance of Phone Calls Now - Don’t let the MAGAts win the calling our elected officials game.
5 Calls App - Set Up Instructions - This beautiful instruction sheet was written by 3 people who are all over 70 years old. If they can do it, you can do it.
Thank you for your efforts!
I struggle with a chronic severely debilitating illness, which leaves me fairly powerless to protest except by boycotting. Haven’t watched tv news since the 2024 election because it increases my stress. I have a very supportive spouse/caregiver and donate (small amounts) to individual candidates and charities (also PBS). Most of my “news” comes from Substack and I spend a little time on Threads (frequently blocking MAGATS who seem to only enter conversations to spout hostility and profanity). Sadly, isolation is part of the illness. I’m a trained mental health professional and have had years of counseling (especially since the onset of the illness). I’m mostly capable of managing my mental health but it’s becoming more challenging every day. If you have any other advice I would welcome it. Will continue to monitor your posts & will subscribe/tip/whatever if I continue to find your writing helpful.
Yes! Dems Hold the Line!