Are you angry and anxious? Have you turned off the news?  These are indeed stressful times.  However, as individuals and collectively as a concerned and actively involved electorate, we all need to stay sane --and productive!  Take a break -- read a book, go to a movie, play word games, puzzles.  Meditate.  We need to stay positive and energize, because every day there is another "Taco" directive, court ruling, etc.

One of the most devastating challenges to our country is the massive tax and spending package budget bill (the perversely named "Big Beautiful Bill") the GOP-controlled house narrowly passed. This disastrous bill will enact hefty tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. To pay for these tax cuts, the Republicans are including many spending cuts and policy changes from their partisan wish list. This package includes several controversial measures that would deeply cut into two of the nation's key safety net programs -- Medicaid and Food Stamps -- while making permanent the trillions of dollars of individual income tax breaks contained in the GOP‘s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Following are just some of the measures:

• Funding for Medicaid will be slashed by nearly $800 billion

• The Food Stamp (SNAP) Program will see cuts of $267 billion in federal funds.

• $351 billion cuts to student aid

• $50 billion cuts to the Federal Employee Retirement System

• Widespread rollback of climate programs and clean energy incentives.

• Eliminating the contempt power of the courts.

I can go on and on and on.  What can we do to stop this hijacking of our constitutional government by a narrow minded, narcissistic, cruel, fickle, contemptible, lying, corrupt, unethical, power grabbing so-called leader of our country who very well may also be losing his faculties?!  Are the courts going to end his power grab? Although they have passed rulings to block many of his contemptuous executive acts, TACO has blatantly ignored virtually all of them.  Will this conservative Supreme Court put the brakes on this pathway to a fascist government?

We are the solution -- People Power!  Massive resistance throughout our country is being demonstrated in Town Halls and in demonstrations, calling to task the legislative leaders who support this budget or merely "go along to get along". Some of Taco's executive decisions have been thwarted by these actions. On June 14th, Flag Day, there will be over 1,000 rallies, town halls and marches throughout the nation and internationally.  A national "No Kings" day of defiance will diminish the Washington, D.C. military parade from being the center of attention.
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The South Shore Democrats will host a "No Kings" Rally on Saturday, June 14 from 9:00 am to 10:00 in front of the Winn-Dixie on State Road 674 (Sun City Center Blvd.) near the corner of Trinity Lakes Dr. in Sun City Center. Please join us!  More details at our meeting this Thursday (details below).

Another very important way to make sure your voice is heard is 5Calls. 5 Calls is the easiest and most effective way for U.S. constituents to make a political impact.  Calling your congressperson is the most effective way to influence policy -- 5 Calls shows you how to contact your senators and congresspeople, providing talking points and a script.  Easy as pie -- but vitally important!  You can get more information on the 5 Calls website and also on our own South Shore Democratic Club website.  Our website also provides a wealth of information on events, how to get involved and other useful and important topics:  www.southshoredemocrats.org.

The guest speaker at our meeting this Thursday, June 5th is Rocky Milburn of the Sierra Club.  Details below.

Remember we need you, but take some time to breathe and rejuvenate. We are in it to win it.  I look forward to seeing you this Thursday!

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Fran