I love Halloween, Danielle. I love all the costumes, candy, and trick-or-treating. (So does Bailey, see below.) Today is typically an opportunity to send fun emails using some punny references about how there's nothing quite as scary as Republicans, private equity vampires, or an end-of-month fundraising deadline. But I have to say that this year feels different. Things feel genuinely scary right now. 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP benefits have been unsure if they can put food on the table next month because of Donald Trump's choices during the government shutdown. Tens of millions of Americans are about to see their premiums skyrocket because Republicans refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies that make it possible for people to afford to go to the doctor. Trump is sending masked ICE agents to raid our communities and ordering the National Guard to invade our cities. The administration is using the government shutdown as an excuse to fire federal workers like special education teachers at the Department of Education and CDC researchers who monitor emerging health threats. Media corporations are taking comedians off the air after critiquing the president. Trump is using government power to target and punish political enemies who worked to hold him accountable. It truly is a scary time. And I'm doing everything in my power to stop Trump's march toward and defend our rights, our democracy, and our future. At the same time, here's what gives me hope right now: Americans across the country are rising up, speaking out, and fighting back against the unconstitutional power grabs they're seeing every day from Trump and the GOP. It's the people who are standing up for their neighbors who are being taken off the streets. It's the millions of Americans who attended No Kings rallies. It's the voters who are protesting against Republican attempts to gerrymander in states like Indiana and Missouri. It's the volunteers who are staying in the fight and organizing for candidates and causes that truly represent working people, not the billionaire class. In a few days, voters will head to the polls to make their voices heard in important elections happening in Virginia, New Jersey, California, New York City, and more. In each of these elections, voters will have a choice of what direction they want to see our country move in. We've got a chance to show that we outright reject what Donald Trump and the Republican party is doing. We've got a chance to ask: Do we want to continue to put power in the hands of billionaires and billionaire-funded politicians? Or do we want to chart a new path forward and elect leaders who will fight for policies that will make life more affordable and better for all of us? We're not accepting defeat. We're still fighting back. And we still believe that our government CAN work for working people. So even though things are dark right now, I hope you are finding moments of hope and light in the darkness. Thanks for being a part of this, Elizabeth P.S. I wanted to share what's bringing me joy today. Bailey dresses up for Halloween every year, and this year he's going as the person who doesn't cave to big media corporations or the president: Stephen Colbert.  | 
