Episode 20

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Published on:

24th May 2025

The One Big Beautiful Bill: Another Test of American Democracy

Take Action: Stop the One Big Beautiful Bill

The Senate will vote on this bill in the coming weeks. Your action RIGHT NOW can make the difference between millions keeping or losing their healthcare. Here's how to fight back:

đź”´ Action #1: Call Your Senators DAILY

This is the most important action you can take. The Senate is where this bill can be stopped. With only a 3-vote margin, every call matters.

How to Call:

  • U.S. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
  • Ask for both of your senators' offices
  • Call their local offices too (find numbers at senate.gov)

What to Say:

  • Start with: "I'm a constituent calling about the One Big Beautiful Bill"
  • Share YOUR story: How will losing Medicaid affect you/your family?
  • Key points to mention:
  • 8.6 million Americans will lose healthcare
  • Rural hospitals will close
  • Adds $3.8 trillion to the debt
  • CBO says it hurts the poorest Americans while helping the wealthy


đź’Ş Action #2: Support Front-Line Organizations

These groups have direct relationships with senators and bring real stories to the debate:

Donate to Rapid Response Funds:

Amplify Their Work:

  • Share their reports on social media with #StopOneBigBill
  • Volunteer to collect stories from affected people
  • Submit your own story through their websites


📢 Action #3: Make It Visible Locally

Senators care most about in-state pressure:

Local Actions:

Attend Town Halls (or organize "empty chair" events if they won't show)

Write Letters to the Editor - Senators read local papers!

  • Keep it under 200 words
  • Focus on local impact (rural hospital closures, nursing homes)
  • Include specific numbers for your community

Work with Faith Communities - Many have social justice committees

Organize at Healthcare Facilities - Visibility actions at hospitals that serve Medicaid patients

⏰ Critical Timing

  • NOW - Memorial Day: Senators gauging public reaction (MOST IMPORTANT)
  • Home State Visits: When they're most accessible
  • Week Before Vote: Final pressure can flip votes

✉️ Email Template for Your Senators

Subject: Vote NO on the One Big Beautiful Bill - Constituent Concern

Dear Senator [Name],

I am writing as your constituent to express my deep concern about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1).

The Congressional Budget Office analysis shows this bill would:

  • Strip healthcare from 8.6 million Americans
  • Reduce resources for the poorest 10% of Americans by 4%
  • Add $3.8 trillion to our national debt
  • Force rural hospitals to close, leaving entire counties without emergency care
  • Cut Medicaid funding that 60% of nursing home residents depend on

[Add your personal story here - How would Medicaid cuts affect you, your family, or your community?]

This bill passed the House by just ONE vote. Your vote could be the difference between millions of Americans keeping or losing their healthcare.

I urge you to vote NO on this legislation that sacrifices our most vulnerable citizens while adding trillions to the debt.

Thank you for your consideration. I will be following your vote closely.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

🎯 Remember: This Bill Passed by ONE Vote

The Senate is absolutely still in play. Every call, every letter, every action matters. Together, we can stop this attack on healthcare, food security, and basic human dignity.


📱 Share This Post

Help spread the word: Copy this link and share with everyone you know who cares about healthcare, rural communities, or economic justice.


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Sources

Congressional Documents

Official Statements

News Coverage

Major News Outlets

Reference Sources

Background Information

Healthcare Impact Statistics

Rural Hospital Closures

  • Chartis Center for Rural Health. "Rural Hospital Closures." Data shows 136 rural hospitals closed between 2010-2024. (Referenced figure extrapolated to current context)

Medicaid Coverage

  • Kaiser Family Foundation. "Medicaid's Role in Nursing Home Care." (Referenced for 60% figure)
  • Congressional Budget Office. Analysis showing 8.6 million Americans could lose coverage under proposed Medicaid changes.


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About the Podcast

Bigger Than Me Democracy Project
Where headlines meet history and we stand united.
Bigger Than Me is a rapid-response audio blog from the Bigger Than Me Democracy Project.

Hosted by Bonnie Ross, this blog helps listeners make sense of the moments that don’t just make news — they challenge democratic norms. Each episode breaks down what happened, why it matters, and how it fits into the authoritarian playbook described in On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder.

Here are the 20 lessons we return to again and again:
1. Do not obey in advance.
Authoritarianism thrives when people preemptively conform. Refuse to teach power what it can get away with.

2. Defend institutions.
Institutions don’t protect themselves. Pick one you care about — a court, a library, a newsroom — and take its side.

3. Beware the one-party state.
Support multiparty democracy and fair elections while you still can. Vote in every election. Consider running for office.

4. Take responsibility for the face of the world.
Symbols matter. Hate spreads when we get used to seeing it. Don’t look away. Don’t let it stand.

5. Remember professional ethics.
When leaders set bad examples, ethical commitments matter more. Rule of law needs defenders in every field.

6. Be wary of paramilitaries.
When the men with guns claim to protect the nation, watch who they march with. The merging of unofficial militias and official forces signals real danger.

7. Be reflective if you must be armed.
If you serve in uniform, be ready to say no when something isn't right.

8. Stand out.
The moment you do, others will follow. Nothing breaks the spell of the status quo like someone brave enough to go first.

9. Be kind to our language.
Avoid political clichés and empty slogans. Speak clearly. Read deeply. Think for yourself.

10. Believe in truth.
If nothing is true, power wins. Reality matters. Truth is the foundation of freedom.

11. Investigate.
Don’t just consume headlines. Subscribe to trustworthy journalism. Learn how propaganda works.

12. Make eye contact and small talk.
It’s more than polite — it’s civic glue. In times of fear and distrust, human connection is resistance.

13. Practice corporeal politics.
Get off the screen. Show up in person. Join others in physical, public acts of civic life.

14. Establish a private life.
Protect your digital life. Keep some conversations offline. Tyrants exploit what they learn about you.

15. Contribute to good causes.
Support organizations that reflect your values. Help sustain civil society with your time and money.

16. Learn from peers in other countries.
Authoritarianism is a global trend. Stay connected beyond borders. Have a passport. Use it.

17. Listen for dangerous words.
“Emergency.” “Terrorism.” “Extremism.” Authoritarians exploit these words to justify taking power.

18. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.
Crises are used to break democracy. Don’t trade freedom for false promises of safety.

19. Be a patriot.
Model the kind of America you want future generations to inherit.

20. Be as courageous as you can.
No one wants to be a hero. But if we’re not willing to risk for freedom, we all risk losing it.
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Bonnie Ross