Protest, Resist, and Act

Call your Congressman

Kari Isaacson

The Trump administration has set in motion actions he promised during his campaign. Many voters entrusted him with the economy and hoped the rest was just talk. Now we know he meant what he said. He is on a course to destroy our country so the ultra-rich will get even richer. There's not enough money in the world for these people.

Meanwhile, in the first two weeks, he pardoned criminals from the January 6th assault on the rule of law and law enforcement, froze federal programs - an act that directly hurt millions of people, and began his mass deportations, creating deep fear and anguish.

His "executive orders" are power grabs that subvert Democracy and the rights that protect us all. The economy will be wrecked with his proposed tariffs, an extension of tax cuts for the richest people, and the complete absence of actions that help working people.

The administration must believe that Americans don't care or don't get it. It was chilling to hear Congressman Michael Baumgartner minimize Trump's positions last week, including that birthright citizenship, a clear constitutional right, was “open to interpretation.”

Many people are protesting and fighting to protect our Democracy and economy across the county and country. This week, I called Baumgartner's Washington, DC office and urged him to do everything he could to oppose shutting down the United States Agency for International Development. USAID does a lot of good around the world, helping millions of people who are poor and in distress.

In his anti-USAID rant, Elon Musk wrongly described the Lutheran World Relief as a “money laundering organization.” Michael Flynn did the same. This is ridiculous.  Lutheran World Relief is one of the most respected and effective "boots on the ground" organizations seeking to end poverty worldwide.

In the face of Trump’s illegal autocracy, we need to protest, resist, and act - loudly and continuously. 

"Democrats need to personally call our members of Congress, weekly if possible, and let them know what you want the Congressman or Senator to do.  Personal calls from CONSTITUENTS - the key word here - is tracked by their offices and paid more attention to than emails or even letters.  We suggest that you focus on one or two issues per call.  And keep it up!  Here’s who to call:

Representative Michael Baumgartner
Washington DC: (202) 225-2006; Spokane: (509) 353-2374

Senator Patty Murray
Washington DC: (202) 224-2621; Richland: (509) 453-7462

Senator Maria Cantwell
Washington DC: (202) 224-3441; Richland: (509) 946-8106

I recently called Baumgartner's DC office and got a staff person.  I briefly stated the problem - USAID being high-jacked by President Trump to serve his agenda rather than being autonomous and mission-driven – and asked that Baumgartner do everything in his power to protect this agency from Trump's changes. Also, tell Musk and Flynn to stop slandering Lutheran-related social service and disaster relief organizations.

I plan to call Baumgartner's office regularly. He is a Republican and is entirely supportive of Trump's changes, despite playing this down at his recent Walla Walla "town hall."  

Kari Isaacson, Chair, Walla Walla County Democratic Central Committee