The Rev Dr. Rick SchlosserDear Friends,
There is much chaos around our current budget and continuing resolution (CR) fight from last week. Some thoughts on the decision to uphold government function over allowing a shutdown:
First — a shutdown would have cut off all social funding Saturday morning. That might not mean a lot to those of us with sources of income, but to homeless, elders in nursing homes, people trying to scrape by feeding families, it would be disastrous. Social Security and Medicare would have continued for a time, but no telling with what kind of workforce that would delay payments, cause real harm.
The convention at these times is to allow it, to allow the party in power to “own” a shutdown. This time the issue is much greater: a shutdown could and would end government and democracy as we know it.
That would be hype in any other historic moment. It isn’t now.
The president and his co-chief operative, Elon Musk, had planned that, within 30 days, they would use RIF – Reduction in Force – measures to eliminate staff in all sectors they did not wish to see operate. They have been pushed back repeatedly on these attempts by our courts. Some agencies such as USDA that does our food inspections is once again fully staffed thanks to a court order. Others will be soon, pending appeal of a court order from the Norther California District of the federal court. An appeal is most likely to uphold this restaffing directive. That’s all good news.
What is not well known but revealed by a reputable investigative source, Lawfare, is that in addition to using RIFs on government agencies during shutdown, the administration was planning, out of keeping with normal process, to shutter the courts. In other words, they would remove by several means the guardrails that have so far protected us.
Under those circumstances, it was unclear when, if ever, our government would reopen to serve the people.
Allowing shut downs is a traditional political weapon by the party out of power. Allowing it today is enhancing autocracy at a level we have never experienced. The decision to support the Continuing Resolution, while itself very badly done, was strategic to save democracy and all we hold dear.
Has this been well articulated? No. But we have read deeply and accept the threat is real. We have seen the EO (no longer online) and read the plans. You can find some of it here:
Elon Musk Has Wanted the Government Shutdown | WIRED
We think, as we have written before, that most of our work has to be to “harden” our communities, to stand for those who have no voices. To prepare our local areas for hard times if food assistance is removed or other services cut.
But we also encourage people to pay attention to Executive Orders — you can Google “Executive Order Tracker” and find sources you like. And then to the best of your ability, pay attention to our federal courts and their decisions.
This is not normal. Conventional solutions no longer work. We aren’t quite ready to pick up the pitchforks and torches, but that’s largely because the courts are helping. While it’s amusing to consider legions of retirees marching on the national Capitol, it’s probably a bit less than realistic.
This is where we now are. Legislative fights are to come to save programs, and your voices to your Congressional Representatives is essential. Let them know you will not tolerate cuts to the lifelines we all need be it Social Security or SNAP for the hungry. Because the Capitol switchboard is overloaded, we encourage you to find your representative’s Capitol and district office numbers here:
Find Your Representative | house.gov
We are in for a long fight for justice for ourselves and those we are called to serve. Now we can. That sure beats the alternative.
Thank you!
Elizabeth Sholes
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The California Council of Churches has been at the forefront of many, many social justice and civil rights movements for over 112 years. Like many justice-oriented nonprofits, we have lost most of our financial support since COVID and are working on ways to re-engage in the important work we have done so well for so long. We are currently seeking funding to create an online resource center to help congregations find the best resources to support the social justice ministries they feel their local communities need most from our member denominations, congregations, and partners. If you can help us, please contribute by using the donate button on this email, by PayPal here, or by sending your check to PO Box 980981, West Sacramento CA 95798-0981. If you can help us raise the funding we need from your congregation, judicatory, denomination, or other sources, please contact rick@calchurches.org. Thank you!