Welcome to another edition of Red State Scripts, a resource for U.S. folks living in geographies represented by pro-Trump elected officials but who nevertheless feel inclined to have a bit (or a big) of a holler. These scripts aren’t meant to change any assholes’ minds — though it’d be nice, surely! — but are instead about finding a way to voice opposition, build community, and articulate grievances. Use 5Calls to find your reps, and give them a piece of your mind.
Earlier tonight, House Republicans pulled some bullshit and eeked out a vote on a federal budget resolution that, if it continues as-is, will be absolutely the fuck devastating to the 1 in 5 Americans who rely on Medicaid. This Bluesky thread from CAP’s Bobby Kogan is a good rundown:
Republicans have spent all of my politically aware life working to convince the public that the government is inefficient because it is not run “like a business,” and then, once elected, taking apart the most effective and efficient workings of said government as proof of concept after the fact. Rinse, repeat.
Those of us who live in “red” states and/or who are in close touch with GOP voters are probably feeling as pessimistic as I do: the “gubmint sucks” groundwork has created a lot of bad-feeling about Medicaid (and most other federal services) only to facilitate the decimation of said services to the benefit of the richest fuckos, who will never need or miss them, and to delight of average fuckos who imagine they are but one smart investment (probably in crypto) away from achieving Peak Muskitude. (There’s a something-something “is this cancel culture” element about DOGE/Trump throwing the bureaucratic baby out with the bathwater here, but that’s an essay for another day.)
At the same time, I am forcing myself to be optimistic about growing backlash, evident at GOP-led town halls, even as the worst electeds are (apparently) employing private security to assault people who dare to quietly sit around and let the propaganda wash over them.
I don’t know what to think, really. So I will do, instead. I will keep calling my Republican officials and giving them the what-for. Because the budget still has a long way to go, and this battle can absolutely be fought and won.
If you haven’t called yet, there’s no time like right the hell now. If you’ve called already and feel like your voice isn’t making a difference, keep calling anyway (and keep doing everything else you’re doing, too!). Progress only comes when we don’t let up. Make the first call, and then make the rest. Show up in person if you can. Whatever it takes, as long as it takes.
Tonight, I am once again jumping on the 5Calls database and using it to holler at my red-state reps. Here’s what I’m saying, cusses and all:
I’m [my name] and I live in zip code [mine].
I am horrified by tonight’s budget resolution vote to further enrich billionaires while screwing over average Americans. House Republicans voted to put the lives of over 83 million of us who rely on Medicaid on the line, and I won’t stand for it. Medicaid should be better funded, not cut. Food benefits to Americans in need should be expanded, not slashed. If you’re determined to cater to billionaires, you’ve already demonstrated that you’re perfectly able to kiss their asses without using my money to buy more lipstick as proof of your subservience. I am happy, even thrilled, to see my tax dollars supporting my neighbors, friends, and family who rely on Medicaid and other public entitlements. I want more of that, not less. It literally means saving your own constituents’ lives.
The usual boilerplate: I’ll aim to post a new Red State Script on Monday or Tuesday every week, depending on the news cycle. If you have a script suggestion, leave it in the comments for others to use, and if you’re looking for an issue to comment on, let me know. And especially if you work for a state, local, or grassroots org producing such content for constituents, holler at me and I’ll share it, happily, with edits and adaptations made for diverse geographies — I’m grimesandrea@proton.me by email. (And if you have a script in mind and want to share it with the world, tag me on Bluesky or post it in the comments!)
As ever: Let’s holler into the void alone, together.
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