Chop Wood, Carry Water 10/20
Hi, all, and happy Thursday!
Early voting numbers continue to be record-setting. Good. And the phrase I keep hearing, over and over, is this: “We are within the margin of effort.” Not error, mind you.
Effort.
Because at this point we absolutely can prevail. The only question is how many people will work to make sure we do so.
If we win? We get abortion codified into law. More common sense gun laws. Dreamers protected. Billionaires taxed. Climate hope. Economic growth. Possibly paid family leave. Definitely voting rights enshrined. LGBTQ kids protected. Price gouging addressed.
If we lose? None of that will happen. As for what will? Let’s just try to avoid ever finding out, shall we?
I’ve given you ample ways to lend assistance below. Grab one or two, please, and share this newsletter with a concerned friend or family member.
The power and ability we have to defeat the other side is unquestionable. The only question is whether or not we will wield it.
Let’s do so. Mightily.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’d like to know when the Senate will hold a vote on Gigi Sohn’s nomination to the FCC. As long as the tie-breaking fifth seat on the FCC remains open, the commission is unable to move forward on major policy decisions like net neutrality. This is unacceptable. I know the telecommunications industry has spent over 28 million dollars lobbying against Sohn because she supports Net Neutrality, and I’m really frustrated that they seem to be gaining the upper hand. Sohn was nominated over a year ago. She’s an excellent nominee. She needs to be confirmed now.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m calling about a bill that’s already passed in the Senate —the “Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021” (S.1251). The House version is HR 2820. This bill would reward farmers and foresters who are reducing their greenhouse gas emissions with climate-smart practices. It’s a great bill and needs to pass. Will the Congressmember support it and help shepherd it through committees? We need to do more to support sustainable agriculture if we’re going to succeed at tackling the climate crisis. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Virginia Governor Youngkin’s Department of Education has proposed a series of policies that seriously limit trans students’ rights in Virginia public schools and seek to roll back previously-passed protections.
Make your voice heard, and submit a comment and/or send a postcard voicing your perspective on these policies! The deadline is October 26th. Anyone can submit a comment, even if you don’t live in Virginia.
Submit a public comment here and check out Equality Virginia’s guide to submitting a public comment.
Print these postcards designed by Kirby Creative Clinical Solutions and mail one to Governor Youngkin’s office
Do you identify as trans? Participate in the US Trans Survey!
This may not seem like a big deal, but it is soooo critical that we have good data about the trans community so they can advocate for themselves and each other.
The survey is open to people of all trans identities (binary and nonbinary), ages 16 and older, living in the United States and U.S. territories, regardless of citizenship status.
The U.S. Trans Survey is an anonymous survey.
The survey will be available in both English and Spanish.
Please let your trans friends and siblings know about the survey too!
[Thanks to subscriber Sophie O. for this action!]
Get Smart! 📚
Indivisible Sonoma County invites you to meet Katie Porter, their ninth candidate participating in our “Hold the House” Zoom series of candidate meetings, on October 26th at 5:50 pm PT. This is a great and intimate way to get to hear from one of our favorite Congressmembers!
Please register here.
Give 💰!
Y’all! I’m co-hosting a fundraiser for Cheri Beasley with the amazing Robert Hubbell (of Today’s Edition) and Markers For Democracy! It’s on Monday, October 24, at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT.
Beasley will be there to speak with us—she’ll even answer a few questions if you send them to us in advance— and it’s all very exciting. I know I said Senate races don’t need money but this one (and Ohio) are exceptions, as the party has given them short shrift. Let’s help Cheri Beasley out!
You can literally donate any amount to attend (but if you’ve got lots to give, please give generously!)
Donate here and you’ll receive the Zoom link. Thanks!
Win Races ANYWHERE YOU FANCY!
From an incredible organizer friend of mine:
Here is a master list of GOTV. It is alphabetical.
Phone bank. text bank, write letters, the whole Megillah is in the list.
There is something for everyone.
Got an hour or 90 minutes to kill, there is something for you!
I have never seen a list this comprehensive. Just WOW! Every single race I can think of is there, and every form of involvement, too. Pick something, everyone. Please!
Win Races, Send Postcards!
✍🏼 Y’all, if you have your own cards today is the LAST DAY to order addresses and scripts from Activate America! Go here to do so. They have lots left.
✍🏼 Don’t have cards but want to write? I’ve decided to offer ONE MORE wave of shipping packets—because I have a laughable number of postcards on my steps. So if you want to write for Josh Harder, Katie Porter, or the Oregon Governor’s race and are willing to send me money for shipping ($5 for one packet, $10 for more) let me know how many packets of 20/25 and which race. Also your address. All of these cards need to be mailed EXACTLY on the 28th. Thanks!
Win Races—Send Texts!
💻 When We All Vote and Climate Power have teamed up to offer a texting session on Friday to help voters get all the info they need to vote. They need volunteers! Can you attend?
Friday, October 21 from 1:30 – 2:30pm EDT.
💻 And don’t forget—today from 8 – 9 pm EDT is the Texas Textbank with VoteRiders and Poderistas
Join VoteRiders for a virtual text bank ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm elections. You can help ensure that every voter has the information and ID they need to cast a valid ballot.
Win Races—Make Calls With Me! 📲
I’m be hosting my Arizona phonebank again today—it’s every Thursday at 3PM PT / 6PM ET. We’ve been getting more callers every week—I’d love for this week to be our best attended.
Have I mentioned that Kari Lake is tied with Katie Hobbs in the polls? And that she’s a full-on, unapologetic fascist who will absolutely hand the election to Trump in 2024?
Help us make sure she doesn’t win.
Sign up here. Bring friends. I will train you.
No Resistbot Text Today! (:
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess
Your page is fabulous and today was a zinger! Can I get anyone interested in the Boebert/Frisch race? Adam Frisch is not on the GOTV list. They are very close in the polls and it would sure be nice to get rid of her!
Thank you for including the action on the proposed policies for trans students in Virginia. Virginia resident here. Youngkin's strategy of making public schools the battleground for Virginia's governor race during the campaign and now during his tenure is absolutely despicable. He won my district by 500 votes, and that was honestly the biggest motivator in my decision to apply for American citizenship this year. So I can make it 499 next election, or even better, help flip my district.