Hi, all, and happy Monday!
Last night I found myself googling “inspirational quotes for tough times.” With everything going on, I thought it might be helpful to start the newsletter with some uplifting words; maybe today’s podcast, too.
Usually I can find something relevant, but this time nothing felt right.
This morning as I sat, in typical Monday morning fashion, catching up on emails and following links down internet rabbit holes, I found myself on a webpage called House of Names reading about my own family history. I can’t tell you how or why I ended up there (as I said: rabbit holes). But there I was. And you know what I learned?
The Craven family motto—which dates back to the 14th or 15th century— is: “Virtus in actione consistit.”
Virtue consists in action. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
The site goes on to say that the motto was originally a war cry or slogan.
It still is. One I’ve been chanting, in slightly different words, for years.
Virtue consists in action. Hope is an action. Patriotism, gratitude, love…all actions, if they’re to be worth a damn.
So let’s forget about pretty words and act our way into a better country right now.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, is the Senator a co-sponsor on SJ Res 1, the Resolution to remove the deadline to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment? [If yes thank. If no add:] I would like him/her to co-sponsor this Resolution right away. The House passed its companion bill, HJ Res 17, in March. It’s time for the Senate to do its part. [More info]
Second, America’s billionaires have grown $2.1 trillion richer during the pandemic, their collective fortune skyrocketing by 70%. Most of these huge billionaires’ gains will go untaxed under current rules and will disappear entirely for tax purposes when they’re passed onto the next generation. That’s why I want the Senator to support Senator Wyden’s Billionaire’s Income Tax, under which billionaires will start paying taxes on their increased wealth each year just like workers pay taxes on their paychecks. Implementing this tax will pay for a good part of the programs we need to keep Americans and our planet healthy. Please support it.
[If Democrat add:] Two more quick things: we MUST keep all of the climate provisions in the Build Back Better plan. We don’t have time to waste. Also, we need to pass the Freedom to Vote Act. Once again, there is no time to wait. We’re facing urgent issues; Democrats must ACT. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, America’s billionaires have grown $2.1 trillion richer during the pandemic, their collective fortune skyrocketing by 70%. Most of these huge billionaires’ gains will go untaxed under current rules and will disappear entirely for tax purposes when they’re passed onto the next generation. That’s why I want the Congressmember to support Senator Wyden’s Billionaire’s Income Tax, under which billionaires will start paying taxes on their increased wealth each year just like workers pay taxes on their paychecks. Implementing this tax will pay for a good part of the programs we need to keep Americans and our planet healthy. Please support it.
One more thing? Please ask the Congressmember to support H.R. 959, the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. Thanks.
Extra Credit
Let’s contact the Environmental Protection Agency via the Ask a Question Form.
Script: Hello, I’m contacting you to encourage the regulation of industrial meat and dairy companies. These operations account for 13% of total U.S. methane emissions, and their current environmental practices negatively and disproportionately impact people in rural and marginalized communities. I am asking the EPA to protect people’s health and our environment by listing and regulating industrial dairy and hog operations under section 11 of the Clean Air Act.
[H/T Americans of Conscience Newsletter]
Get Educated!
If you’ve never had a chance to hear Melissa Walker from Future Now Fund talk about why state-level races matter, I can’t recommend it highly enough. And tomorrow at 12:30PM EDT she’ll be giving a webinar about exactly that. She’ll also tell you how you can help progressives win at a state level! You’ll leave feeling smarter AND better equipped to help us take our country back, one state at a time.
October 19th, 12:30-1 EDT. Register here.
Get on the Phones! ☎️
So tomorrow, Tuesday, I’ll be phone banking into Virginia with Joan’s Democracy Cafe from 12-3 PDT. This is an AMAZING phonebank. Joan and her team are so good at offering training and support—it’s such a friendly atmosphere (if you can say that about a Zoom room) and these calls remain critically important.
Can you join us? Sign up here.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to your DEMOCRATIC Senators] [H/T]
As your constituent, I’m asking you to hold the line and support a Build Back Better reconciliation package that will effectively support clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
There’s no getting around the facts: our planet is rapidly warming, and we’re already seeing the increase in devastating natural disasters, mass migrations, and food and water shortages that come with unrestrained climate change.
The people of our state deserve better than that. By rapidly phasing out fossil fuels and creating millions of clean energy jobs, we can build a future where our children grow and thrive. But only if we do everything we can, as soon as we can.
Please do not support natural gas, carbon capture and storage, or fossil fuel industry subsidies in the Build Back Better plan. Instead, support the Clean Energy Performance Program, the Civilian Climate Corps, electric buses and EV charging stations, a 40% environmental justice provision, and a Polluters Pay Action Fund.
Thank you for holding the line.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess