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Chris's avatar

Very well written. Totally agree with all of it!

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michael's avatar

As of May 15, 2025, the Republican-led budget reconciliation bill—often referred to as the “big, beautiful bill”—is facing significant internal opposition, delaying its progress toward a House vote initially targeted for Memorial Day weekend. House Speaker Mike Johnson is contending with dissent from ultraconservative members who demand deeper Medicaid cuts and stricter work requirements, as well as moderates concerned about the bill's impact on constituents and fiscal implications. https://apnews.com/article/5588a1ba31875e5a4a2e23564244851b?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/15/megabill-teeters-after-hard-liners-make-their-stand-00352892?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Key Provisions of the Bill

The bill proposes substantial tax cuts and spending reductions, including:

$715 billion in Medicaid cuts, introducing work requirements and eligibility checks that could affect over 10 million people.

$351 billion in cuts to student aid, limiting Pell Grant eligibility and repealing student debt forgiveness programs.

$50 billion in cuts to the Federal Employee Retirement System, reducing take-home pay and retirement benefits.

Significant reductions in funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and dissolution of the Public Accounting Oversight Board.

New taxes on electric and hybrid vehicles and elimination of funding for green energy programs authorized by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

$25 billion allocated for a “Golden Dome” missile defense shield, involving space-based assets.

Limitations on federal judges’ authority to hold government officials in contempt of court.

Current Status

The House Budget Committee is scheduled to meet on Friday to address the bill, but internal divisions may delay further progress. Speaker Johnson aims for a floor vote next week, but with a slim majority and no Democratic support expected, the bill's passage remains uncertain. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/15/megabill-teeters-after-hard-liners-make-their-stand-00352892?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.wsj.com/politics/gop-tax-bill-speaker-mike-johnson-01456ff6?utm_source=chatgpt.com

How You Can Take Action

To oppose this bill, consider the following steps:

Contact Your Representative: Call or email your House representative to express your concerns about the bill's provisions, especially those affecting healthcare, education, and environmental programs.

Engage with Senators: Reach out to your state's senators to voice your opposition, as the bill will require Senate approval after passing the House.

Participate in Public Forums: Attend town halls or public meetings to discuss the bill's impact and encourage others to take action.

Spread Awareness: Use social media and community networks to inform others about the bill's contents and potential consequences.

Support Advocacy Groups: Collaborate with organizations working to protect healthcare, education, and environmental funding to amplify your efforts.

By taking these steps, you can contribute to the collective effort to oppose the bill and advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of all citizens.

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michael's avatar

Fox News: America's Most Dangerous Domestic Threat — And How We Can Shut It Down

For decades, Americans feared enemies abroad. But today, our greatest threat to democracy comes from within: Fox News — a 24/7 disinformation infomercial that has poisoned public discourse, promoted conspiracy theories, and radicalized millions against their own country.

Fox News is not a legitimate news outlet. It is a propaganda machine whose mission is simple: Lie, incite, divide, and conquer.

Even President Obama — normally cautious with his words — said Fox was “destructive” to American society, likening it to yellow journalism of the Hearst era. Yet tragically, he did not act — and today, we are living with the catastrophic results.

Fox News helped create Trump. Fox News fueled January 6th. Fox News spread vaccine lies that killed thousands. Fox News normalized hatred, violence, and authoritarianism.

It is time to stop them.

📺 Fox News Survives Because of Cable Companies — and You Are Paying for It

Despite declining ad revenue, Fox News earns over $1.5 billion per year through cable carriage fees (Los Angeles Times). Companies like Comcast (Xfinity), Charter (Spectrum), Cox Communications, and DirecTV automatically bundle Fox News into your basic cable package. You are funding Fox even if you never watch it.

We can change that.

Here’s how:

📞 Contact Cable Providers

Demand that they drop Fox News or allow you to opt out of paying for it. Here are the numbers:

Comcast/Xfinity: 1-800-934-6489

Charter/Spectrum: 1-833-267-6094

Cox Communications: 1-800-234-3993

DirecTV: 1-800-531-5000

Use resources from https://www.nofoxfee.com and https://www.commoncause.org to help guide your conversations.

📺 Adjust Your Subscription

Parental Controls: Block Fox News on your household devices.

Ask for Cable Downgrades: Some companies offer packages that exclude Fox — you just have to demand it.

Switch to Streaming: Cut your cable entirely and subscribe only to responsible, independent news sources.

📝 Petitions and Mass Action

https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/have-fox-news-removed

https://actionnetwork.org/forms/deplatform-fox-join-robert-reich-and-demand-cable-companies-including-comcast-charter-and-att-take-dangerous-disinformation-off-the-air-now

Every signature counts. Every call counts. Every cancellation counts.

💰 Target Fox's Major Advertisers

Fox News is vulnerable because it needs advertising money.

Contact these advertisers and demand they stop supporting disinformation:

MyPillow (major advertiser during prime time)

HomeAdvisor

Liberty Mutual Insurance

Sandals Resorts

Verizon

General Motors (GMC, Chevrolet)

Pfizer (Yes — call them out)

Tempur-Pedic

Use Media Matters' Stop Funding Fox page to track current sponsors.

📚 Understand the Fox Propaganda Model

Fox News is not unique — it follows a long history of manipulating the public. Just like William Randolph Hearst’s yellow journalism, Fox invents and twists facts to whip up hysteria and anger (Library of Congress).

Today, it’s even worse:

Sean Hannity admitted under oath he knew the election fraud claims he promoted were false (NPR).

Tucker Carlson’s private texts show he didn’t believe Trump’s election lies, even as he pushed them nightly (PBS).

They lied knowingly — to keep ratings high and their audiences enraged.

⚖️ Legal Barriers and Consumer Action

Can the government shut Fox down? Not easily. The First Amendment protects even deliberate liars — as long as they're not committing defamation directly.

Fox has no FCC license. Because it's cable (not over-the-air broadcast), it’s harder to regulate. But:

Consumer pressure works.

Advertiser boycotts work.

Petitions and lawsuits work.

In the case of the Dominion lawsuit, Fox had to pay $787 million for lying about election fraud (NPR).

We can hurt them where it counts: Money. Reputation. Market access.

🌎 Major Resources to Use and Share

Petition and Activism Sites:

https://www.nofoxfee.com

https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/have-fox-news-removed

https://actionnetwork.org/forms/deplatform-fox-join-robert-reich-and-demand-cable-companies-including-comcast-charter-and-att-take-dangerous-disinformation-off-the-air-now

https://www.commoncause.org

Fact-Checking and Media Literacy Sites:

https://www.mediamatters.org

https://www.factcheck.org

https://www.snopes.com

https://newslit.org

https://adfontesmedia.com

📚 Essential Books on Disinformation and Propaganda

Manufacturing Consent – Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky

The Misinformation Age – Cailin O'Connor and James Owen Weatherall

Network Propaganda – Yochai Benkler, Robert Faris, Hal Roberts

Weaponized Lies – Daniel J. Levitin

Post-Truth – Lee McIntyre

How Fascism Works – Jason Stanley

Republic of Lies – Anna Merlan

Calling Bullshit – Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West

The Death of Expertise – Tom Nichols

Fake News, Propaganda, and Plain Old Lies – Donald A. Barclay

🧠 Final Word: We Must Shut Fox Down to Save Democracy

Fox News is not journalism. It is weaponized disinformation. It is the single largest driver of division, hate, and ignorance in modern American history.

It brainwashed a third of the country. It enabled a fascist coup attempt. It cost lives during the pandemic. It is a domestic enemy of the Constitution.

We can't rely on Congress to fix it — not yet. But we the people can take action:

Cancel cable packages.

Pressure cable companies.

Pressure advertisers.

Educate ourselves and others.

Build a future where truth matters again.

Truth is patriotic. Lies are not. Fox must go.

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