Chop Wood, Carry Water 1/11

Jan 11, 2023

Hi, all, and happy Wednesday!

The week is off to a good start—Aaron Rouse won his Special Election in Virginia yesterday! By 348 votes, no less! Y’all, do you realize that the phonebanking we on this list did alone could have made that difference? CONGRATULATIONS! It’s proof again not only that every vote matters, but that every moment we spend talking to voters does, too. I phonebanked for both the DNC (on Monday) and the Environmental Voter Project (yesterday), so I feel a bit of ownership in this win. I was part of it. If you made calls to VA voters—even for a half an hour!—you were, too. Bravo!

Doesn’t it feel good?

Look, I’m not being pollyanna. I know classified documents were found in Biden’s closet. I know Jim Jordan is feverishly launching investigations. I know every moment that these cretins are in power is excruciating.

But it’s our job to focus on the wins. To amplify them. To lead with them.

It’s also our job to keep our heads down, do the work, and ignore the circus—to the best of our ability. As William James observed, "The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook."

So, if we can do something about it, let’s do that. If we can’t, let’s “overlook” it as best we can and ask ourselves what we can do to create a better country. Is there a race coming up we can help with? Is there a call we need to make to our legislators? Can we register a voter? Hold a bake sale to raise money for a great organization?

In short, let’s “work the program, not the problem,” as they say in twelve step meetings. It works—it really does. And it’ll also help keep us sane and steady while the GOP maelstrom storms around us…and eventually gets blown back out to sea by our good works.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m calling to make a general comment as Congress starts its new session. I want the Senator to know my priorities. I want action on climate, gun violence, and abortion rights. I want better and more affordable healthcare. I want asylum seekers to be treated with dignity and compassion. I want voting rights to be expanded. I want billionaires to be forced to pay their fair share of taxes. I will expect the Senator to pursue these goals as well.

[If Republican add:] The American people spoke loudly in the Midterm elections, and we will do so again in 2024. If Republicans squander time and money on divisive and pointless theatrics or defunding programs we love and need they will lose their seats, and deservedly so. Thanks.

[If Democrat add:] Please fight Republican extremism at every turn—play hardball. We don’t have time to waste—America needs Democrats to stay strong and hold the line. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m calling to make a general comment as Congress starts its new session. I want the Congressmember to know my priorities. I want action on climate, gun violence, and abortion rights. I want better and more affordable healthcare. I want asylum seekers to be treated with dignity and compassion. I want voting rights to be expanded. I want billionaires to be forced to pay their fair share of taxes. I will expect the Congressmember to pursue these goals as well.

[If Democrat add:] Please fight Republican extremism at every turn—play hardball. We don’t have time to waste—America needs Democrats to stay strong and hold the line. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

You’ll remember that Vanguard made a decision in December to drop out of the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative — a move that shows the firm is refusing to take responsibility for its role in the climate crisis. Now Vanguard SOS has an easy way for us to push back on this. I just did it and it took 5 seconds.

This Thursday Vanguard is hosting a webinar called “VanguardNEXT: Looking Ahead to 2023 with Chairman and CEO Tim Buckley,” where leadership will discuss what the firm is doing to improve investor outcomes.

Please register for the call — you don’t have to actually attend—and submit a question to Vanguard about what it plans to do in 2023 to live up to its climate commitments.

Use this link to sign up for the call and submit your question. If you aren’t comfortable giving your information, you can type “N/A.”

Here are some sample questions you can use:

Why did Vanguard drop out of the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative and what is and what is the firm doing to help ensure it and its clients are prepared for the energy transition?
How should investors trust Vanguard’s fiduciary responsibility to its clients if it continues to backpedal on climate commitments?
How will Vanguard plan to decarbonize its portfolio and ensure its assets align to a 1.5 degree future?

If you’re a customer, feel free to make that clear when asking your question!

Get Smart About Medication Abortion! 📚

I’m sure many of you have heard of Plan C, the amazing organization helping pregnant Americans access medication abortion. Well, they have an ambassador program—of which I am a proud member—and are having an information meeting for folks who would like to join it in 2023. Please consider coming if abortion rights are important to you!

Saturday, Jan 14 11a PST / 2p EST on Zoom

From the invite:

Join us for our kickoff meeting to discuss the new structure of the Plan C Community program–formerly Ambassadors of Information–with Plan C’s Director of Outreach & Organizing, Kendall Bentsen. You won’t want to miss hearing from our featured speaker, Plan C's Co-Founder Amy Merrill, who will give us an insider’s look into Plan C, our mission, and what to expect in 2023.

Spread the Word! 📣

The American manufacturing boom continues thanks to President Biden’s economic agenda:

Today, Hanwha Q CELLS – a South Korean based solar manufacturer – announced an historic investment that highlights how President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act is delivering good jobs for people in Georgia and all across the country. Q CELLS’s $2.5 billion investment in Georgia manufacturing is expected to create 2,500 jobs – and is just the latest in a series of major investments in American manufacturing thanks to President Biden’s economic plan. Read more here.

Win Races!

In February we have the opportunity to elect the first Black women EVER to Congress in Virginia. Senator Jennifer McClellan has served greater Richmond for 17 years in the General Assembly and has been instrumental in the passage of landmark progressive laws to help all Virginians. Now she’s running to fill Don McEachin’s seat. Early voting has already started.

👏🏼 Want to write postcards for her? Click here for addresses through Postcards to Virginia!

👏🏼 Want to phonebank for her? The center For Common Ground will hold national guided phone banks every Wednesday from 3 to 5 pm PT/ 6 to 8 pm ET. Andrea Miller herself will launch today’s phonebank! Register here.

👏🏼 Want to learn more? The Center For Common Ground is also holding a mobilization call tomorrow, January 12th at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET to discuss how you can support their work for the special election in Virginia. Please join them to learn more!

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

[to President Biden] [H/T] [Quick send text SIGN PEVGBO to 50409]

The small band of right-wing extremists who now dominate House Republicans have made it clear they will use destructive temper-tantrums and political hostage-taking to ram through an anti-freedom, anti-people agenda that they cannot achieve through the democratic voting process.

President Biden, I’m asking you to unite with your fellow Democrats to fiercely and adamantly defend the American people from this ultra-right wing political extremism with all the means at your disposal. Pull out every stop, leave no stone unturned—in short, fight like hell. Do not sacrifice our freedoms or our interests in futile gestures of bipartisanship toward MAGA Republicans who have no sincere interest in it.

They are coming for our democracy. Don’t let them have it. Thanks.

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

Talk soon.

Jess

Chop Wood, Carry Water