“I’m not a fan of anybody that protests anything . . .” So stated former Providence mayor and current Tesla landlord, Joseph Paolino. Many Democrats have taken offense at this profoundly un-American sentiment, particularly since he is National Committeeman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party! Indivisible RI is collecting signatures for a petition to have Paolino removed from this position:
On Saturday March 22nd, labor unions from across the state put on a powerful, large-scale demonstration next to the Providence Tesla outlet in protest of the Musk-led MAGA government’s systematic and authoritarian assault on our general welfare and basic democratic rights.
In response, Paolino told the Providence Journal, “I’m not a fan of anybody that protests anything…I don’t think that’s the way you get change. That’s the way you get publicity.” This is an outrageous statement from Paolino, who is the landlord of the Tesla outlet and so, in essence, benefits from the rent paid by a person who is destroying this country.
Senators Whitehouse and Reed, and Representative Amo spoke out against Musk and the MAGA campaign to dismantle the government. (Rep. Magaziner was absent; his office issued a tepid statement, taking a bold stand against property damage even though none has been reported in Rhode Island.) Whitehouse showed more spine, calling Musk the “creepiest of the billionaires.” The Providence Journal covered the protest, having received comment from Paolino the day before:
“I am not happy with everything Musk is doing, but I’d want to have a dialogue and see what the rationale is and see how he could listen to some of our ideas and go back and forth,” said Paolino, who made an unsuccessful bid for vice chair of the Democratic National Committee earlier this year. “All they want to do is complain,” he added.
The rationale? Allow me to explain, Mr Paolino: The rationale is that he is breaking and dismantling all the government agencies so he can say see they are broken and then sell off the parts to private entities who will then bleed United States taxpayers dry while providing zero services. His slashing of budgets and staff will help fund the upcoming tax breaks for billionaires . . . oh.
But why don’t you know this already? You are on the Democratic National Committee! Anyone who thinks that Musk is going to have a dialogue and listen to our ideas is either mentally impaired or no longer a Democrat. No wonder you lost your bid for the vice chair. That gives me hope.
Sign the petition: Paolino has got to go!
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A mass mobilization is planned for Saturday, April 5th. This appears to be a march from Hope High School to the Federal Building in Kennedy Plaza. Register now . . . more details forthcoming.
This is part of the National Day of Action being promoted nationally by HandsOff2025!
Whitehouse is the creepiest Senator in Washington.