800 voters jammed a town hall in Tucson and roared their applause for US Senators Corey Bookman of New Jersey and Mark Kelly of Arizona. The senators blasted the Trump oligarchy’s budget plan to cut health insurance coverage.
“We have a Congress where there are enough votes on the Republican side to pass the greatest attack on healthcare of our lifetimes,” Booker said. “We know their bill. We know it instructs a specific committee to cut $880 billion. And the only place to do that really is Medicaid or Medicare.”
Kelly added, “The Republicans are burning down my house, and the kids are still inside. So what can we do about it? We can fight. We can fight back, and we can all collectively understand that elections matter.
Stand up and speak out
Booker is famous for speaking for 25 straight hours on the Senate floor on April 1. During the record-breaking talk, Kelly stood beside him.
“My parents made it very clear to me that you’ve got to stand up. Even if your legs shake, you’ve got to stand up and speak even though your voice breaks,” Booker said. He called on the audience to do the same.
“Today is a time in America when we need to ask the question, “What do we stand for?” We have to decide at this moral moment in America where we will stand. So, let’s get started.”
Author’s note: Today is the day when you must pick a side: chaos or democracy. It’s no good to complain that you’re disillusioned with the system. Trump wants to legalize racism by eliminating DEI programs, he endorsed mob rule by pardoning the Jan. 6 rioters, and Republicans plan to take away health insurance and earned benefits, like Social Security.
Contact the Democratic Party in your district and become a volunteer or precinct committee member. I’ve been a PC for 18 years, and it’s the best role I’ve ever had. Look up which district you live in, and then contact the Democratic leadership there.
Don’t delay. Do it today.
MAGA Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-CD6) has voted for the budget measure to cut health insurance. Booker said, “Either he changes his mind, or this district changes its Congressman. It’s as simple as that,” Booker said.
The power of the people
“We have to show once again, like every generation has, that the power of the people is greater than the people in power.”
Senator Kelly said he sold his Tesla car after Elon Musk called him a traitor for visiting Ukraine. “Donald Trump’s bad plans extend beyond just Medicaid, SNAP, and possibly Social Security. It extends to our position as a leader of the free world, supporting our allies like Ukraine against our adversaries like Russia.”
Kelly said the Republicans are planning to cut 105,000 people from Medicaid and SNAP food assistance so that Trump can give a giant tax cut to the wealthiest Americans.
“Let me tell you who’s going to lose healthcare coverage,” Kelly said:
- 36% of all children
- 46% of moms who just gave birth and their newborn babies
- 40% of working-age adults with disabilities
- 53% of people living in nursing homes
- 17% of Medicare beneficiaries. “17% of adults between the ages of 19 and 64 would lose their healthcare coverage in this district if Ciscomani and the president pass this legislation,” Kelly said.
“Don’t give up, because the reality is there are more of us now. We just have to convince some of our fellow Americans who have been voting for Republicans that it’s not in their best interest to do that. It just isn’t. When you have an administration looking out for the wealthiest and not folks working hard every single day to put food on the table and pay their rent, that’s not a path for success for our country,” Kelly said.
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