I’m in meetings of the Finance Committee for the Human Rights Campaign throughout the day, so I decided to take a day off from writing so I could focus with a fresh brain on the hard numbers!
Thanks for sharing your writing! And thanks for being sensitive to those of us on fixed incomes. I especially appreciate that you allow comments from those of us who aren’t paid subscribers; most people here don’t.
I understand the pressure thought to not subscribe financially to everyone, I’ve got too many paid subscriptions as I’m worried the last week of every month about food money, so having a few less subscriptions is something I do consider.
Jay, I read this and I wanted to reach through the screen and give you a hug, because you are one of the good ones and you need to hear that today.
People aren’t walking away from you. They’re walking away from everything right now just to keep standing. I need you to understand the difference.
There are people reading you at two in the morning because they can’t sleep, because they lay there in the dark doing math they can’t make work. Insulin or groceries. The electric bill or the copay. Gas to get to work or gas to heat the house. There are people who haven’t bought themselves a new pair of shoes in two years but made sure their kids had what they needed for school. There are retired teachers and veterans and disabled folks on fixed incomes who clip coupons for things that used to be ordinary, like eggs, like bread, and they feel ashamed of it even though they have nothing in this world to be ashamed of. Five dollars a month is a gallon of milk. That’s where we are.
And it’s not just the money. People are soul-tired. They wake up afraid and go to bed afraid and in between they scroll through horrors they can’t stop and can’t fix. Their churches don’t feel the same. Their friendships are strained. They don’t recognize their own country some mornings. The ones who care the most are the ones breaking the fastest, because you can’t keep your heart wide open in a world that keeps taking a hammer to it.
I’ve had to cut my own subscriptions back. Medical bills will rearrange your whole life without asking permission. But I’ve also bought two Big Picture gift subs for people who needed them more than I needed that money sitting in my account, because my mother taught me that the offering you make when your own hands are shaking is the one God counts twice.
If possible - you may want to check to see how many of those subscriptions were switching to the Big Picture? I was thinking of switching myself when my subscription renewal comes up given how often it seems the only thing posted here is a note to go read your article over on the Big Picture. Wouldn't that still be supporting? Alternatively, if you posted your articles in the Big Picture here for those with subscriptions there wouldn't be a need to switch?
I too have been frustrated by not being able to read the Big Picture as a Jay subscriber. (Substack is difficult to navigate if you're not on a phone -- click on redeeming a "free" post and you get stuck in an endless loop giving you a QR code.) So I stick with Jay here and try to ignore the ads for the Big Picture. It's usually just one day a week.
Take care of yourself, dear Jay! We all need to remember sometimes that we need to put on our own oxygen masks first, to be able to save others. . .
Personally, I think your substack is one of the very best out there; in fact, though I probably should be paying for more of the others, yours is the one I am supporting with a paid subscription. Thank you for all that you do!
As one of those who is on a very limited fixed income - and seriously struggling under this regime - I'd like to say thank you, to you for keeping your content free, and to your paid subscribers for allowing you to do so! Please don't ever think we don't appreciate the access. ♥️
I am still subscribed but also did not renew another substack, I cannot afford all the various substacks but I try. Meanwhile, keep on parsing through all the tedious mind-jarring heart-rendering material. Your enthusiasm, intellect and energy are very much appreciated and needed. I have learned many new things, especially about legal practices and tariffs while following the Status Kuo for the past year! TGIF!
I subscribe to both the Status Kuo and the Big Picture. I thank you for all your hard work and insight. With most of the press silent on the horrible lies and corruption at the top it is imperative to have clear insight. I am struggling with depression and anger over what is happening in America right now.
Still homeless but as soon as I'm settled, you're going to be the one to subscribe to - skeets is worth it
finally subscribed!
Thanks for sharing your writing! And thanks for being sensitive to those of us on fixed incomes. I especially appreciate that you allow comments from those of us who aren’t paid subscribers; most people here don’t.
Thank you, Jay, for doing your part to save the world!
I understand the pressure thought to not subscribe financially to everyone, I’ve got too many paid subscriptions as I’m worried the last week of every month about food money, so having a few less subscriptions is something I do consider.
Thanks to the folks who became new supporters today. You have closed that gap since the first of the month considerably. I am so grateful!!
Jay, I read this and I wanted to reach through the screen and give you a hug, because you are one of the good ones and you need to hear that today.
People aren’t walking away from you. They’re walking away from everything right now just to keep standing. I need you to understand the difference.
There are people reading you at two in the morning because they can’t sleep, because they lay there in the dark doing math they can’t make work. Insulin or groceries. The electric bill or the copay. Gas to get to work or gas to heat the house. There are people who haven’t bought themselves a new pair of shoes in two years but made sure their kids had what they needed for school. There are retired teachers and veterans and disabled folks on fixed incomes who clip coupons for things that used to be ordinary, like eggs, like bread, and they feel ashamed of it even though they have nothing in this world to be ashamed of. Five dollars a month is a gallon of milk. That’s where we are.
And it’s not just the money. People are soul-tired. They wake up afraid and go to bed afraid and in between they scroll through horrors they can’t stop and can’t fix. Their churches don’t feel the same. Their friendships are strained. They don’t recognize their own country some mornings. The ones who care the most are the ones breaking the fastest, because you can’t keep your heart wide open in a world that keeps taking a hammer to it.
I’ve had to cut my own subscriptions back. Medical bills will rearrange your whole life without asking permission. But I’ve also bought two Big Picture gift subs for people who needed them more than I needed that money sitting in my account, because my mother taught me that the offering you make when your own hands are shaking is the one God counts twice.
Consider yourself hugged. 🤗🫂🥰
If possible - you may want to check to see how many of those subscriptions were switching to the Big Picture? I was thinking of switching myself when my subscription renewal comes up given how often it seems the only thing posted here is a note to go read your article over on the Big Picture. Wouldn't that still be supporting? Alternatively, if you posted your articles in the Big Picture here for those with subscriptions there wouldn't be a need to switch?
Jay's articles on the Big Picture are always free, so it depends if you want access to their paid content
I too have been frustrated by not being able to read the Big Picture as a Jay subscriber. (Substack is difficult to navigate if you're not on a phone -- click on redeeming a "free" post and you get stuck in an endless loop giving you a QR code.) So I stick with Jay here and try to ignore the ads for the Big Picture. It's usually just one day a week.
Just subscribed! I should have done it a long time ago. Best of luck in replenishing the subscriber list.
THANK YOU Gloria ;
I'm sure you speak for many more than I .
As Dora in "Finding Nemo" said " just keep swimming" .
-Nate
Take care of yourself, dear Jay! We all need to remember sometimes that we need to put on our own oxygen masks first, to be able to save others. . .
Personally, I think your substack is one of the very best out there; in fact, though I probably should be paying for more of the others, yours is the one I am supporting with a paid subscription. Thank you for all that you do!
Keep up the good work!
As one of those who is on a very limited fixed income - and seriously struggling under this regime - I'd like to say thank you, to you for keeping your content free, and to your paid subscribers for allowing you to do so! Please don't ever think we don't appreciate the access. ♥️
I am still subscribed but also did not renew another substack, I cannot afford all the various substacks but I try. Meanwhile, keep on parsing through all the tedious mind-jarring heart-rendering material. Your enthusiasm, intellect and energy are very much appreciated and needed. I have learned many new things, especially about legal practices and tariffs while following the Status Kuo for the past year! TGIF!
I support several Substack authors, but you have a special place in my heart along with Joyce Vance and Heather Cox Richardson, - my go-to trifecta 💜
I subscribe to both the Status Kuo and the Big Picture. I thank you for all your hard work and insight. With most of the press silent on the horrible lies and corruption at the top it is imperative to have clear insight. I am struggling with depression and anger over what is happening in America right now.
Thank you Jay for all you do! You’re in my neck of the woods…waving to you from Bethesda, just over the DC line. 🤗