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Mid-September

Mid-September

Hello CRAGgys!

It's been a turbulent summer with an onslaught of outrageous attacks on people, institutions, government, and the fundamental ideas of democracy, freedom, and human rights. Anyone who is paying attention is terrified by the prospect of an autocratic takeover of the wealthiest country in the world, a country that has long been a beacon of freedom and justice, and is home to so many people who are committed to overcoming past mistakes and making the world better for everyone.

Unfortunately, many people are not paying attention as many impacts are distant or delayed. ICE raids and domestic military deployments are occurring in far-away cities. Medicaid and SNAP cuts and insurance rate hikes are coming, but haven't hit yet.

Likewise, the folly of undermining of our public health system and FEMA won't be evident until we personally need those services. Diversion of law enforcement to detaining immigrants replaces actual crime-fighting with indiscriminate and discriminatory "shows of force," but will only be noticed by victims. Climate impacts, increased pollution, and loss of our public lands will slowly become apparent over time, after the vandals have made off with the spoils.

The loss of American influence and prestige on the global stage is hard to see from inside the U.S. bubble. The July announcement that 14 million people could die from cuts to USAID has already fallen off our radar. Meanwhile, the incredible, accelerating worldwide transition to clean, low-cost energy is being led by China, and will soon leave us in the dust (or smog), dependent on foul fossil fuels instead of free sunlight.

The good news is that some impacts are being felt. Our job is to help everyone see the direct connection from the White House to impacts on their lives. Tie inflation to tariffs, business and job stagnation to attacks on immigrants, economic malaise to policies designed for the 1%. Encourage your neighbors to ask why citizens of other countries have guaranteed family leave, universal health care, and paid vacations.

Timothy Snyder explains what it's like to live under an autocratic regime in his essay "The Strongman Fantasy." When government workers are loyal only to the dictator corruption flourishes. Deprived of impartial justice, businesses and citizens learn to pay bribes and stay quiet to stay off enemies lists. Public trust dissolves and freedom of speech, action, and imagination is repressed. These are the stakes. Stay strong.

Save the Date:

October 18, 2025 NO KINGS 2.0 National Protests. Over 1200 locations have registered to date. Local actions TBD. Contact Keweenaw Indivisible to help organize.

Potential Government Shutdown(s)

Michigan

The Michigan Government could shut down if a balanced budget isn’t passed by October 1. The Senate (Democratic controlled) and House (Republican controlled) are still miles apart. The house passed a budget that slashes funding for health care, environment, arts and culture, public safety, the Secretary of State, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

U.S.

The federal government is also in danger of shutting down in October. A continuing resolution is required to keep the doors open through November. Support from Senate Democrats is required for passage; they are asking to have some of the cuts to health programs (ACA subsidies, some Medicaid cuts) reinstated.

Free Speech

Last week saw unacceptable high-profile violence and exploitation of that violence to suppress exactly the kinds of free speech that the victim claimed to support. I am trying to avoid this fear-and-outrage machine. Paul Shattuck has a list of hints on how to avoid being overwhelmed.

Threats by the FCC Brendan Carr are extremely chilling, illegal, and an abuse of power. The First Amendment does not allow the government to suppress speech just because it's critical of the government. Indeed, that's precisely what the First Amendment is supposed to protect. The rapid capitulation by ABC and parent Disney is equally alarming; why are they folding in the face of bullying?

Updates

Houghton County Commission changes meeting time

Meeting are now at 6 pm on the second Tuesday following the first Monday of each month. They are also moving to the larger courtroom which has more space for the public.

Flock spy cameras- Hancock Sept mtg canceled

Hancock is considering purchasing Flock license plate-reading cameras after Baraga County wisely rejected them. 404 Media found that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has access to data collected by this system. To share your view, attend the next Hancock City Council meeting, Wednesday, October 15 at 6 pm. (Their September 17th meeting was canceled.)

Michigan Statewide Petitions

At least SIX petitions are being circulated for proposals to go on the 2026 ballot. Bridge Michigan has a good summary; others may be added.

    • YES (if you are eligible.)::
    • NO! Decline to Sign. Watch out for the anti-voter rights petitions that seek to add repressive "proof of citizenship" language to the Michigan constitution:
        • Americans for Citizen Voting- DO NOT SIGN
        • Committee to Protect Voters Rights - DO NOT SIGN
        • AxMITax, The AxMITax proposal seeks to eliminate all property taxes in Michigan, shift the tax burden to regressive sales tax, and make it harder to raise any other taxes in the future - DO NOT SIGN

Upcoming Events

The CALENDAR has details, on these events and many more. Please share your events.

  • September 21, 1 pm. International Day of Peace. Bridgeview Park (No signs, but bring you peace message)
  • September 23, 7 pm, Orpheum Theater. Town Hall: Invest in MI Kids and Money out of Politics. Organized by KATO
  • September 25, 7 pm. Know your rights ICE Training at Michigan Tech.
  • October 15, 7 pm. Town Hall: Health Care for All. Orpheum Theater.
  • October 18, 2025 NO KINGS 2.0. Save the date. Local actions TBD.

When and Where to Speak UP

Check the calendar for details.

Local action groups convene regularly. Some public body meets somewhere every single week; take 30 minutes to show up and express your opinion. (Sample statements.) And let me know if you go and what you learn.

Remember, this is a long process. Showing up multiple times builds trust and demonstrates to people with diverse viewpoints that you don't have horns.

Why and how to attend local meetings

Upcoming:

Organizing Meetings

Details are on the CALENDAR. (Please send updates, check to confirm.) These groups are all very welcoming. Drop by a meeting to connect with friendly faces. Any level of engagement contributes to making our world better.

Houghton/Hancock

Baraga

  • Baraga County Democrats, 3rd Tuesdays at 6 pm, L'Anse Township Hall

Marquette

  • Every Tuesday evening at 7pm, Yoopers Unite, a gathering of local pro-democracy groups, at LoveMarq Church, 728 W. Kaye Ave, Marquette.
  • Marquette: Every Saturday morning from 11:30-12:30, between 40 - 80 people have been assembling at the Marquette Post Office, standing in support with long-established Citizens for Peace & Justice.
  • Lunch at Lakenenland: Lake Superior Region Indivisible, Potluck at Lakenenland, September 13, 1-3 pm, contact lsrindivisible@gmail.com for details.
  • Join Lake Superior Region Indivisible

So many mushrooms

They're everywhere this week. iNaturalist tells me these are Scalycaps.

Thanks for all your support

Stay Well

Sarah

References

USAID cuts may lead to more than 14 million deaths globally, including 4.5 million children under 5 by 2030, researchers say. newsroom.ucla.edu

The Strongman Fantasy, Timothy Snyder, Nov 1, 2024. Substack link

The entire Developed World has these 10 Workers' Rights. America has Zero. Christopher Armitage. https://open.substack.com/pub/cmarmitage/p/the-entire-developed-world-has-these

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Jamie Larson
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