Chop Wood, Carry Water 10/27

Our common welfare.

Hi, all, and happy Friday.

I’ll start with the encouraging news: Jared Golden has agreed to co-sponsor the Assault Weapons Ban Act. It’s too little and too late for the victims of the horrific shooting in his district, of course, but we should be grateful when any previously resistant lawmaker takes the “courageous” stand of supporting common sense gun laws. Should Golden win re-election in 2024—and we must make sure he does—it will provide evidence to other “Blue Dog” Democrats that a reasonable approach to gun violence won’t spell electoral disaster for them.

Let’s hope that more lawmakers decide to get on board before having to witness tragedy firsthand. In fact, let’s push for them to do so. More on that below.

Now onto the bad news: like many of you, I am reading an alarming number of articles about the rise of antisemitism in our country, particularly on the left. It disgusts and horrifies me, and I hope it does you, as well. While I am currently not putting actions related to Israel and Gaza in this newsletter—they are simply too divisive—I will not stay silent on bigotry of any kind.

So let me state the obvious: antisemitism is vile. It’s wrong. It should have no place in our country. Its rise should concern us all greatly. We must do better. We can and should argue with the positions of the Israeli government. That doesn’t excuse hateful actions towards an entire population. Ever.

For the record, I have a similar loathing for anti-Muslim sentiment. It also has no place in this country. Or this world. Our revulsion at Hamas cannot and must not translate into hatred of Palestinians or Arab-Americans. This is so obvious it shouldn’t need to be stated, but it obviously does.

Here, in this newsletter, we will continue to strive for unity. We will continue to strive for democracy. We we will continue to strive for progress. We we will continue to strive for care.

But that must include all of us.

There isn’t a category of people, whether Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQIA, or any other, who deserve to be dehumanized, whose deaths deserve to be celebrated, who should be shut out of the basic equation of humanity.

I love all of you very much, and feel quite positive that it is only through love, reason, restraint, empathy, and principled action that we can survive. So let’s work on that together, remembering always that, in the end, our common welfare must come first if any of us are to thrive.

Now let’s get to work.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

The Senate Finance Committee has found that Clarence Thomas failed to pay a “significant portion” of the principal of the $267,230 loan he was given by a benefactor to finance purchasing his R.V. At the very least, Justice Thomas appears to have flouted an ethics rule. At the worst he broke tax law. For decades Justice Thomas has engaged in corrupt and unethical behavior, devastating the credibility of the Supreme Court. He has to resign. Has the Senator yet called for this? [If yes thank. If no add:] I find that incredibly disappointing. Please ask the Senator to do so immediately. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

I understand that a group of Republican members have introduced a privileged resolution to expel George Santos. I expect the Congressmember to support it. While everyone deserves their day in court, the evidence agains Santos is overwhelming. His ex-treasurer Nancy Mark has already pled guilty to related charges. It’s clear that he can no longer serve in his role effectively; if nothing else, he is a national security liability. Will the Congressmember vote yes?

Extra Credit ✅

Today I’d like to focus some special attention on Democratic Senators Jon Tester of Montana, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Jacky Rosen of Nevada, along with independent Senators Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Angus King of Maine. These Senators not only haven’t yet co-sponsored the Assault Weapons Ban Act, but voted JUST YESTERDAY in support of an amendment making it easier for veterans with mental disabilities to get guns.

Let’s call at least one of them and say:

Hours before an Army reservist with a history of mental health issues went on a killing rampage in Maine this week, the Senator voted to adopt an amendment making it easier for veterans with mental disabilities to get guns. This was a disastrous choice. While the Senator can’t go back and undo this vote, s/he can and should advocate for an assault weapons ban so that at the very least servicemembers and others with a history of mental illness can’t access military-grade killing machines. Will s/he become a co-sponsor?

Sinema: (202) 224-4521

Tester: (202) 224-2644

Rosen: (202) 224-6244

King: (202) 224-5344

Manchin: (202) 224-3954

Get Smart! 📚

We hear often that, despite their awful track record, Republicans are more trusted on the economy than Democrats. It’s a problem—especially when there’s ample proof that Democrats are better on this front—so understanding why voters feel this way is critical.

That’s why I just benefited so much from reading this new Navigator polling summary, entitled “What do Americans Want For Their Economy?” I can’t recommend it highly enough. I feel much more clear on both the problem and the solution, and think you will as well.

If you like reading polls, by the way, there’s a place at the bottom of the page to subscribe to Navigator updates. I find them endlessly fascinating and incredibly helpful for crafting effective messaging. Maybe you will too!

Chop Wood, Save the Planet! 📣

Well, fancy that: Utilities Have Been Lying to Us About Gas Stoves Since the 1970s.

It turns out gas stoves have much more in common with cigarettes. A new investigation by NPR and the Climate Investigations Center found that the gas industry tried to downplay the health risks of gas stoves for decades, turning to many of the same public-relations tactics the tobacco industry used to cover up the risks of smoking. Gas utilities even hired some of the same PR firms and scientists that Big Tobacco did.

Yet another reason to consider upgrading to an induction stove when possible.

Give 💰!

David Pepper is trying to raise money to do digital outreach to likely YES voters in Ohio who still haven’t returned their VBM ballots. There are over 125K of them! A fifty dollar donation buys 1000 digital contacts. If you can help please give here.

Win Races! 🗳

Vote Forward still has tens of thousands of letters to distribute, and 4 days in which to do it. If I commit to taking 5 more how many of you will join me?

For those of you who might be new to this activity, these letters are easy, quick to write, and require only a printer, business envelopes, stamps, and a pen! They are data-backed and DO increase turnout. Vote Forward has letters for both Virginia and Ohio. Please, all, can we each do a few more? Go here to get started.

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[to all 3 reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PGNBRQ to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]

I am writing today as your constituent to urge you to make our communities safer by banning weapons of war.

In 2004, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act expired, lifting a federal ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. Since then, thousands of people have been killed in shootings across the nation. We’re talking about children at school, older adults at the grocery store, moviegoers, concertgoers, and so many more.

How many more must die before lawmakers put thoughts and prayers into action?

The use of an assault weapon equipped with a high-capacity magazine increases the likelihood that a particular shooting will have a high death and injury count. These are war weapons that have no place in our communities.

During the 10-year period that the federal ban was in effect, mass shooting fatalities were 70 percent less likely to occur than either before or after the ban. We can save lives by reinstating a federal law that bans the manufacture, sale, and possession of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Your action on the Hill can save lives. I urge you to move swiftly to take meaningful action to make all of our communities safe from gun violence. Thanks.

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OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess