We're NOT Doomed: Jan 16, 2026

This happened in Missouri? Like...THAT Missouri?

Does it strike you as strange that anytime Democrats have a win, that’s when you see the most hate directed towards them?

This week, our incredible Dems managed to peel off enough Republicans to kill a bill that would have shrunk the definition of overtime hours so employers could have a new excuse to pay their employees less.

And Dems killed it. Not ONLY that, but ALSO, because six Republicans voted with Dems, they also decided to kill two other anti-labor bills before they even got to a vote.

I can’t overstate how big a deal this is.

But oh wait, there’s more.

HHS announced, without warning, that they were cutting funding for mental health programs. 100 House members, including two Republicans sent a letter, led by Rep Paul Tonko (NY-20), and within 24 hours the funding was restored. And yes, I did say a letter, that thing you insist does nothing ever and is just a waste of time.

But oh wait, there’s more.

Dozens of Democratic Members of Congress are holding a field hearing RIGHT NOW in St Paul Minnesota against ICE and in support of the Somali and Latino populations.

But I’m not seeing anything about any of that…why?

Because when Dems are doing the right thing, are fighting back loudly and having a lot of wins, that’s when the noise against them is the loudest.

And it happens every single time. Next time people start calling for Jeffries and Schumer to step down, start saying Dems are ineffectual and a waste of space, start saying don’t vote and they’re no better than Republicans, see what Dems have done that week. I would bet money that they did something really incredible that’s being drowned out by this mess.

Because it happens every single time, and social media falls for it

Every

Single

Time

The only way Republicans can win in November is if you believe this narrative. And they know that, which is why it keeps happening. And they bank on larger creators seeing these lies and jumping on them. And it happens

Every

Single

Time

Our Dems have had an INCREDIBLE week, but all I see is people tearing them down.

Stop falling for it.

Assume that if the noise against them is loud, they did something right, and find that thing and spread it.

Imagine if everyone was talking about these instead of Jeffries and Schumer not being in St Paul (I’m pretty sure they are), or the majority of Dems voting for the appropriations bill that is lightyears better than it could have been, as Rep Steny Hoyer (MD-05) said:

“While far from perfect, this compromise bill could have been much worse. I am pleased that it increases resources for Election Security Grants, Small Business Administration programs for entrepreneurial development, and the Judiciary—notably for judicial security. Additionally, it addressed the backlog for federal public defender services and continues to fund Community Development Financial Institutions and other important Treasury programs.

Yes, of course, it does terrible things too, but judiciary? election security grants? public defender services? These are REALLY good things, and our Dems worked TIRELESSLY to make them possible.

So please stop falling for this coordinated attack to make us lose in November. Press not interested when you see someone attack the Dems, hide their comments on your post, restrict their ability to comment again and block them.

I know it’s easy to fall for it, but please, give yourself tools not to, we can’t afford it, and besides, our Dems need our support, cause their fight is going to continue being drowned out every single time.

I hope you’re still here, cause even if you don’t love that wake up call, you probably still wanna know why We’re NOT Doomed.

Ohio

Fri, Dec 19 - Governor Mike Dewine signed a bill that will make menstrual products available to all inmates across the state, who need it, free of charge. I know it was almost a month ago, but I didn’t see it till now and I think it’s worth sharing.

While the bill was still being debated, Antonette Smith, a former inmate at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, gave testimony explaining why this is so important:

There were times when pads were limited, tampons unavailable, or distribution controlled in a way that made women feel powerless and degraded. Some of us had to choose between using toilet paper, reusing products, or going without altogether.

And this was bipartisan, it has to be positive and pass in Ohio. Republican Senator, Susan Manchester said during debate:

[This] is an important piece of legislation that ensures female inmates in Ohio are treated with dignity and respect during their incarceration. Feminine hygiene products are a necessity, not a luxury.

The idea of this coming from a Republican woman, that gives me hope. That makes me feel less doomed. If I didn’t see this story with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it. But here it is, Republicans recognizing that hygiene products are a necessity. That there are things that should just be a human right. That this kind of dignity matters. And it’s not all dignity, Republicans are still Republicans, but it is something, and that’s worth celebrating.

The law goes into effect on March 20.

Nationwide

Mon, Jan 12 - Mackenzie Scott has donated $45m to Trevor Project, a donation the organization calls “the single largest one-time donation in our 27-year history. “

With everything going on right now in the world, especially targeting the queer community, this gift could not come at a more important time. In their statement, Trevor project said that this is going to go a long way in making what they do sustainable, long term, in a way it hasn’t been before.

And they will put care into figuring out how best to use the funding:

Over the coming months, we will roadmap a strategic and thoughtful investment plan focused on strengthening our core crisis services, improving long-term sustainability, and accelerating our progress toward a world where every LGBTQ+ young person knows they are loved and supported.

This is the kind of donation we want to see from the people who can afford it. People like Mackenzie Scott are really using their wealth as a force of good, and that makes me feel less Doom.

Kansas City, Missouri

YESTERDAY - ICE agents toured a warehouse in the city. Manny Abarca represents Jackson County in the county legislature, and he went to see what was up. And he confirmed on twitter:

They are looking to place a 7,500 bed facility in this or a similar building in the area from the agents.

Once the City government had the confirmation, they sprung into action. The city council held an emergency meeting and within hours they announced a moratorium on non-municipal detention facilities for the next five years.

The ordinance applies to any application to establish or expand detention, corrections or carceral facilities not owned or operated by the city through January 15, 2031. The moratorium applies to any pending and future applications.

The city will use all available legal tools to enforce the moratorium.

I like that last sentence best. In my opinion, nothing could show that We’re NOT Doomed quite as well as a story like this one.

Bravo to Kansas City for just making it happen.

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Even though today was another day that most of social media spent tearing Dems down, I feel better after writing these, so I hope you feel less doomed after reading them!

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