Three Wins Today: Sept 30, 2025

We have all the tools to control the shut down narrative

Let’s talk shutdown.

I don’t care what your personal views on the Dems or leadership are, we have a very small window to control this narrative, and it will be impossible if anyone is doing anything but blaming Republicans.

Republicans are letting the government shut down because they don’t care about keeping their constituents alive. They are willing to shut down the government because they refuse to restore accessible healthcare for 70% of Americans. That’s it.

Anything you say other than that will help the Republicans control the messaging. Part of the reason Republican messaging is so successful, in general, is because people on the left help push it. We can’t do that this time.

Other messaging to consider:

And I tell you this because every single person who makes their own social media posts or just reposts other people, is an influencer. You have the ability to influence people, no matter how minuscule your platform is, so what you say matters.

We have to discuss it as “Democrats are voting against the CR BECAUSE,” rather than Democrats won’t vote for it UNTIL.” Making it proactive matters.

Make sure you are talking about how Democrats want to give working people the tools and opportunities, not “helping them.” Helping sounds like they don’t have the agency to do it themselves, and that’s never a winning argument.

Focus on healthcare, you don’t need to get in the weeds with medicare vs medicaid, if someone doesn’t have those, or doesn’t have them under that name, they will tune you out.

For some reason, talking about food assistance bypasses the “why them and not me?” narcissism that gets many people to put their head in the sand. There’s a reason our Dems are using these words.

Vet assistance also plays really well. The majority of people care about Vets. And they are outraged that Vets are losing support.

And finally, acknowledge that we need a solution. What’s happening now isn’t working, but what Republicans are doing is precisely not the answer.

And, if you’re wondering how I’m so knowledgeable, I can’t take the credit. The economic messaging comes from the Winning Jobs Narrative Project.

You have just as much power as I do right now. No matter how big or small your platform is, we must be a chorus (pun kinda intended). We shouldn’t say exactly the same thing, but it should be the same song. This is the most important moment in our entire lives for us to all be unified.

And if we are, we got this.

Salt Lake City, UT

Fri, Sept 26 - The majority of employees at the oldest gay bar in Utah, The SunTrapp, are unionizing. Organizing member and lead bartender, Natalie Jankowski, told the Salt Lake Tribune that things are getting worse and this is vital for their safety. Kolbie Peterson wrote:

She said the union wants to focus on safety “as the political climate gets worse and worse,” mentioning increased immigration enforcement and the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. “Things are getting a little scary.”

Jankowski isn’t holding her breath for her boss to recognize their union, but if she doesn’t they will start the long process of getting recognized by the labor relations board, which will only be made longer by the fact that this administration hates unions.

But they are in it for the long haul, cause this isn’t just about them, it’s about every worker in Utah. They created a GoFundMe for a “solidarity fund” to support Utah workers:

We, the workers of SunTrapp, are the stewards of a crucial safe space for SLC’s LGBTQ+ community. To secure the future of this space and the workers who sustain it, we are forming a union. We want to stand in solidarity with all service workers in Utah and fight for better working conditions for all of us, not just the staff at the SunTrapp.

As always, solidarity forever, union strong!

New York City, NY

Thu, Sept 18 - St Patricks Cathedral unveiled their new mural. It’s titled “What’s So Funny about Peace Love and Understanding.” It was painted by Adam Cvijanovic, known for large murals. New York’s Cardinal, Timothy Dolan, originally asked for something about The Apparition at Knock, but Cvijanovic has other ideas, and he told CBS Sunday Morning:

He said, what would you think of making it a celebration? Of the continual pilgrimage of God’s people?

If that makes you think of immigration, that’s exactly what it is.

Literally Jesus, Mary and Joseph were refugees, cause they had to flee to Egypt.

It depicts that scene at Knock, but also immigrants to New York, from the 1800s to, yes, now.

Here’s the most amazing part.

Cardinal Dolan gave the invocation at both of Trump’s inaugurations, and yet, he is making it abundantly clear that he doesn’t support the way this admin is treating immigrants:

I can’t understand why we’d want to deport people that are not a threat to us, who we’ve really, kind of, gotten to know as neighbors, and who we kinda need.

For this to be his church, inspired by his mural idea, gives me some hope.

Now, don’t get me wrong, he’s not a good guy. He is currently making news for calling CK a modern day saint, but, this church, termed “America’s Church” will house this mural long after he’s gone.

In fact, he’s nearing his retirement and according to Christopher Hale, who writes “Letters from Leo,” Pope Leo’s top choice is Bishop Daniel Flores, of Brownsville Texas, who is deeply entrenched in the immigrant community himself.

Now that’s exactly the kind of person that should be leading the church with this mural.

California

Sat, Sept 20 - Governor Gavin Newsom signed five immigration bills into law. AB 49 prohibits schools from letting ICE enter any non public area without a warrant. SB 81 prohibits sharing of medical info, which now includes immigration status with law enforcement, except in case of life and death. SB 98 requires students, faculty, staff and parents to be notified if ICE is at the school, this goes for k-college. SB 627 is the bill that makes it a crime for law enforcement to cover their face. And finally SB 805 expands the definition of impersonating law enforcement.

Former ICE chief of Staff, who served under Biden, Jason Houser praised the new laws:

Ensuring that officers are clearly identified, while providing sensible exceptions, helps protect both the public and law enforcement personnel. These are common-sense necessities that safeguard all law enforcement agencies as they keep us safe and protect our communities. Masking discredits law enforcement and disconnects officers from the communities they serve — making all of us less safe. Law enforcement focused on public safety and national security is supported by all Americans, not politically driven quotas and fear campaigns that divide officers from the people they serve. Frankly, these steps shouldn’t even be necessary — but the current White House has chosen to push anti-community and anti-law enforcement policies instead of building an immigration system that works for everyone. These measures not only guard against impersonation but also build the trust that is essential for effective public safety operations.

I know the unmasking ICE law has gotten the most attention, but the others are fantastic as well!

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So those are just some of my favorite wins I saw today.

I hope these help you fight harder today, and remember, we have to control the messaging!

Our voices are our superpower, but only when we use them!