Silence has it’s consequences
We just celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence — the moment when Americans declared themselves free from the rule of a tyrant.
Our founders wrote of a ruler whose “repeated injuries” proved him “unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”
These words are relevant today.
We are watching a president use executive orders, agency directives, funding freezes, grant terminations, mass firings, and new eligibility restrictions to punish states, weaken public services, and shift chaos and cost onto you and your families.
This is not conservative government. This is the conduct of a tyrant.
And barely one Republican, serving in office or running for it, locally or nationally, has spoken up against the president’s actions.
That is worth repeating: Barely one Republican, serving in office or running for it, has spoken up against the president’s actions.
The impact on Connecticut families
In Connecticut, the harm is real:
- Federal public-health grants have been cut, threatening programs that serve you including disease surveillance, newborn screening, vaccination work, addiction services, and mental-health programs;
- Connecticut schools — your schools — face the loss of tens of millions of dollars for after-school programs, adult education, teacher support, and student services;
- Medical research at institutions like UConn, UConn Health, and Yale has been set back by attacks on National Institutes of Health funding — jeopardizing work on cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and other conditions that touch nearly every family.
The assault on Connecticut residents goes further:
- Public Law 119-21, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed by the president on July 4, 2025, cuts a wide swath of social services including SNAP and Medicaid programs that will impact food security and health care for working families, seniors, and veterans;
- The president’s repeated efforts to halt construction of Connecticut’s offshore clean energy project, if successful, will increase household electricity costs for all of us;
- Not only have benefits been cut or threatened with reductions, thousands of federal workers have been fired or forced out, thus weakening the very agencies that process your Social Security, veterans’ benefits, student aid, Medicare, tax assistance, and environmental protection.
This is how damage is done: not always with one dramatic act, but through a thousand cuts — a grant canceled here, a worker fired there, a benefit narrowed, and a school program frozen.
Silence has consequences
Republican candidates and legislators continuously criticize Connecticut government, but they are silent when it comes to Donald Trump. They complain about state costs and demand austerity — when increased costs are the direct result of federal cuts. But they will not oppose the very policies that dump those costs onto our towns, our schools, and our families.
The best way to protest is to vote
This is not a time to let others decide the next crucial election. As Connecticut State Representative Matt Blumenthal told the gathering at last week’s DTC meeting, “Ultimately, our values, our Constitution, our democracy, are in your hands.”
Putting values into action begins with making sure every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate. To encourage the broadest possible voter participation, Connecticut has enacted laws protecting and expanding early voting, as we described in our July 9 newsletter and Governor Lamont announced this week.
In this 250th year of the life of the United States of America, it is again time for us to make our voices heard and, as the Declaration of Independence reminds us, protest against “a prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant . . . ”
The best way to protest, the best way to make your voice heard, is to vote in every election.
Connecticut deserves better. Greenwich deserves better. You deserve better.
The cost of Fazio and Courpas’s ‘No’ votes on gun safety
Connecticut Democrats have strengthened the state’s gun safety laws to crack down on ghost guns, illegal firearm conversion devices and assault weapons. The need for those protections recently hit close to home when a multi-agency investigation led to the seizure of 22 ghost guns during the arrest of a Greenwich man in Westchester County. A subsequent search of his Stonehedge Drive home in Glenville uncovered 14 additional ghost guns, 15 illegal assault weapons, 61 high-capacity magazines and equipment used to manufacture untraceable firearms.
Ghost guns hit close to home
The case is a reminder that ghost guns and illegally modified firearms aren’t problems somewhere else — they’re here in Greenwich. That’s why Democrats passed HB 5043 this year to ban rapid-fire pistol conversion devices and close loopholes by further restricting key components used to build illegal ghost guns. Greenwich Democratic Reps. Steve Meskers and Hector Arzeno voted for the bill. Greenwich Republican State Sen. Ryan Fazio and State Rep. Tina Courpas voted against it.
Fazio’s record of opposing gun safety
For Fazio, it was part of a broader pattern. As he campaigns for governor, voters should know he also opposed Connecticut’s landmark 2023 gun violence prevention law, which closed assault weapon loopholes, banned open carry in most public places and required existing ghost guns to be serialized and registered. Greenwich’s Democratic House delegation — Steve Meskers, Hector Arzeno and then-Rep. Rachel Khanna — all voted in favor of that measure.
The discovery of an illegal weapons cache in Greenwich is a reminder that ghost guns are not a distant problem —they’re here at home. Connecticut Democrats have responded by strengthening gun safety laws. Ryan Fazio and Tina Courpas have opposed those efforts. You cannot be tough on crime when you are soft on illegal weapons. As Fazio and Courpas campaign to be sent back to the State Capitol, voters should decide who will protect Greenwich and represent our values.
What we’re reading
In a recent New York Times opinion piece, Congressman Jim Himes states that intelligence agencies have found no evidence that vote counts were altered in the 2020 election, even as adversaries continue to spread misinformation. His article reminds us that safeguarding democracy means defending election integrity and strengthening the public’s faith in them.
“The American people should know that our elections are strong and secure,” he writes, “because of the quiet and dignified work of thousands of patriotic Americans in the intelligence community, in state and local election offices and in polling places themselves.”
Want another way to stay in the loop on local news and events? Subscribe to Selectwoman Rachel Khanna’s bi-weekly newsletter.
Action Calendar
July 25. Recognize.
Join Indivisible Greenwich for another peaceful demonstration of Signs of Fascism, to raise awareness about concerns over threats to democratic institutions and constitutional norms. Stand with your neighbors in support of democracy, the rule of law, and civic engagement. 11:30 a.m., Binney Park, Old Greenwich.
July 29. Celebrate.
At noon, commemorate the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and recognize the continued importance of accessibility and inclusion for all. See the recent ADA improvements creating a more accessible downtown. Veterans Plaza Park (in front of RH Gallery)intersection of Arch Street and Greenwich Avenue.
July 30. Veggie out.
Embark on a delightful journey through vibrant, lush, and thriving vegetable gardens, as the Greenwich Land Trust invites you to explore the secrets of sustainable living and the joys of cultivation. From meticulously tended vegetable patches to enchanting personal garden beds, each stop on their self-guided Tour de Veggie offers a glimpse into the artistry and dedication of passionate gardeners. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at various locations in Greenwich. For information, click here.
August 6. Get social.
It’s time again for our 4th Annual DTC Wine & Cheese at the Beach! What could be better than a relaxing summer evening of wine and cheese with old friends and new at our stunningly beautiful Greenwich Point Park? Join your fellow Democrats for a midsummer evening of laughter and good company. Let us know you’re coming by RSVP-ing here. Thursday, August 6, 5:30 p.m. – sunset, Greenwich Point Beach just beyond the second snack stand. (Rain date August 13).
August 11. Vote.
September 13. Campaign Kickoff picnic.
For an afternoon of food, conversation, and community, meet local, state and federal leaders, connect with neighbors, and help us build critical momentum for the upcoming election. Click here to sign up and purchase tickets. 12 noon–3 p.m., Clambake Area, Greenwich Point Park, Old Greenwich.
| Volume 5, Number 4 • July 23, 2026 |
| Paid for by the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee. |
| Greenwich Democratic Town Committee P.O. Box 126 Greenwich, CT 06836 |