70 Comments
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Deborah Jacobson's avatar

Thank you for continuing to support democracy

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Deborah...your support isn’t just appreciated…it’s fuel. Every paid subscriber like you is a voice saying, “I won’t sit this one out.” Together we’re not just watching democracy...we’re holding the line for it. Thank you for standing in the fight with me!

-Jack

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Ytram's avatar

I suspected as much when it took me six months to get a needed surgery this year. Why do they want to kill us?

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Ytram...six months for a needed surgery is brutal…and it’s not an accident. Delays and denials are part of the quiet control game...starve the system...break trust...and make people feel powerless. They don’t need to “kill us” outright if they can bleed us slowly and silently.

-Jack

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Ytram's avatar

This is what happens without universal health care.

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Jo Burns's avatar

Oh Lordy! Just when I thought I'd get a quick breath! Thanks for keeping eyes open and spreading the news. You are a democracy Defender!

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Jo...right?! Every time we think we can breathe, they slide another move through the shadows. But that’s why we stay loud...awake...and connected. Your words remind me we’re not just observers...we’re Democracy Defenders...shoulder to shoulder in this fight!

-Jack

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Jo Burns's avatar

I'm glad we are in this together! This regime gives me pause at every turn. What a wretched lot!

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Robert Kraybill's avatar

Well here we go again! Another vile plan to weaken and disenfranchise the majority! Thank you Jack! As always your insight is one of the keys to keeping an eye on the authoritarian creep. Keep up the brave work! Resist!

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Robert...you nailed it. Every one of these “vile plans” is another brick in the wall of authoritarian creep. Seeing it is the first weapon. Speaking it is the second. And together? We make damn sure they know we’re watching...we’re loud...and we’re not moving off this hill.

-Jack

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Cheryl McCavitt's avatar

You can see with the Medicaid new rules, those that don’t fill out the ‘TPR’ reports in triplicate and submit them in proper order in proper time will loose coverage.

This is a way to sever benefits for the less informed or extremely sick.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Cheryl...you’re 100% right. Bureaucracy is their scalpel. They don’t have to say “we’re cutting you off”...they just bury people in forms and deadlines until the sick and the overwhelmed lose what they’ve earned. It’s cruelty disguised as paperwork. And it’s by design.

-Jack

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Jeff J's avatar

I see the big picture. We gotta keep pushing calling it out . Your insight lets me believe we have a choice .

Thanks Jack

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Jeff...seeing the big picture is half the battle. The other half is exactly what you said: keep pushing...keep calling it out...never let them normalize the creep. Knowing we still have a choice is what fuels the fight...and your voice adds to that fire. Thank you for standing tall!

-Jack

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Ytram's avatar

Next, they will start chipping away HARDER at the health benefits veterans have earned.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Ytram...exactly. Veterans are always next on their chopping block because they think no one will fight for what’s been earned in blood. Chipping away at health benefits isn’t just cruel...it’s a test to see if anyone’s paying attention. And we are. Loudly.

-Jack

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Mary's avatar

We need to act now. Failure is not an option.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Mary...you said it. Failure is not an option...and silence is surrender. Acting now...loud... relentless...together...is how we turn this creeping threat into their nightmare. Every voice we raise is another brick pulled from their wall.

-Jack

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JMcKay's avatar

Thanks Jack for uncovering another authoritarian snake in the grass - we should all write our house and senate representatives and not allow this to happen

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

J...exactly. Authoritarian snakes thrive in the tall grass of silence. Shining light and making noise is how we cut it down. Writing your House and Senate reps isn’t just duty...it’s a warning shot: We see you. We will not allow this to slide quietly.

-Jack

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Jan Moon's avatar

I'll share this with everyone I can, whether they like it or not.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Please do, Jan!

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Gray Zebra's avatar

I read this! It’s appalling! Control of the population.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Short. Sweet. Concise. You nailed it.

-Jack

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Gray Zebra's avatar

Thank you! 😊

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Gray Zebra's avatar

😊

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

MAGA’s idea of healthcare, and they’ve been telling us honestly since Trump’s first term is: You’ll get the insurance you can afford. Healthy people shouldn’t have to subsidize the sick. And if you can’t afford it, too bad! “No one likes a taker!”

They’re practicing a Darwin form of healthcare; survival of the fittest. Ironically, it’s a bunch of religious zealots who don’t believe in evolution telling us this is the way healthcare should work. Huh??????

Moreover, it also proves these people know as much about healthcare as they do about insurance pools. Healthy people subsidize the sick; that is the point!

It’s no different than good drivers subsidizing the bad ones; not because they want to, but because even good drivers can get into an accidents, and the cost of being self-insured, could easily bankrupt most people.

Furthermore, it should be noted that 60% of all bankruptcies in America are due to medical bills; that’s over 600,000 people every year. Let that sink in!…..:)

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Robert...you nailed it. MAGA healthcare is “pay up or die” wrapped in fake morality. They preach “no one likes a taker,” but in reality they’re fine watching neighbors go bankrupt or die while the rich and connected glide by untouched.

The irony of zealots pushing “Darwin healthcare” while denying evolution would be funny if it weren’t lethal. You’re right...insurance only works because the healthy carry the risk for the sick, just like good drivers cover the bad ones.

When 600,000 Americans a year go bankrupt from medical bills, that’s not a system...it’s a quiet culling of the vulnerable. And they know it.

-Jack

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

100% agree, and great newsletter as always…:)

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Libbey Dem's avatar

I am kind of speechless right now. I can see where this is going. They want to kill us off.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Pretty ugly, Libbey.

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Benny E Hooper's avatar

That's some scary shit. Especially for older folks like me.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Very much so, Benny.

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Jane B In NC🌼's avatar

They want us to die and they want oligarchs.

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