Chop Wood, Carry Water 11/12
Doing Democracy Together
Hi, all, and happy Friday!
Hope you had a nice day off yesterday. My kid and I got pedicures, which felt almost miraculous, it’s been so long.
Speaking of nice things, don’t forget to read Political Charge’s recap of what went right this week—there’s some mighty fine victories in there! Remember, what we focus on grows, so let’s take time to savor the victories!
OK, all. Sending hugs. Times are tough, but so are we.
Let’s make our calls.
P.S. 10/11 on the news quiz! Feeling pretty proud of myself. How’d you do?
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
[To Democratic Senators] I’m sure the Senator is aware that this year, Republicans in state legislatures introduced 400 voter suppression bills; there was an insurrection on our Capitol; and the Census Bureau finalized data that opened the door for extreme partisan gerrymandering that could silence voters for the next decade. Democrats in the Senate have thus far done nothing to protect us.
Strong voting rights and democracy-protecting legislation sits before you with support from a majority of senators. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has committed to bringing legislation back up for a vote. But this vote will remain symbolic, so long as the Jim Crow filibuster is left intact. Please, abolish the filibuster. Our democracy is hanging by a thread. Act now or it’s lost. Thanks.
[If GOP] I want the Senator to support the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Republicans need to stop obstructing passage of these bills right now or I will absolutely support Democrats in doing away with the filibuster so they can pass them on their own. If you can only win by rigging the system maybe you should consider backing different policies. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I understand that a group of Democrat Representatives are introducing a Resolution of Censure against Paul Gosar today. I am assuming the Congressmember has signed on? [If yes thank. If no add:] Please do so right away. [If GOP add:] Does the Congressmember thinks it’s OK to post videos portraying the murder of one member of Congress by another? Would the Congressmember still feel this way if the victim portrayed were in their own party?
Also, please, Congress must pass the Build Back Better Act. We know that 4.4 million Americans quit their jobs in September, and that one of the leading causes was the cost of childcare. We MUST make work possible for Americans by providing childcare assistance, not to mention paid family leave, elder care, and more. And we have got to act dramatically on climate—I’m very anxious about the future our kids will have if we don’t pass this legislation. Thanks.
Extra Credit
[H/T]
Please write Jack Dorsey, the head of twitter, at jack@twitter.com and tell him to ban Rep. Gosar permanently. Suggested text below (you can also auto-populate this in your email program with one click by clicking here):
Dear Mr. Dorsey,
I understand that it is Twitter’s policy to remove accounts that promote or threaten violence against other people. However, because Rep. Gosar is a congressman, his violent fantasy of killing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and threatening President Biden was allowed to stay up for “public interest,” or because it “directly contributes to understanding or discussion of a matter of public concern.”
Nothing showing a man killing a woman is in the “public interest.” Women already know they live surrounded by male violence – their lives are shaped by that reality 24/7. Additionally, prominent congresswomen like AOC have to somehow manage to live and work under the reality of multiple death threats, which now include the possibility of violent films from fellow legislators, facilitated by platforms like yours. That Gosar’s tweet, which you admit violates your own rules on “hateful conduct” remained easily available for his followers because he is a powerful man, just made it worse for her.
I understand that after a flood of condemnation, Gosar took down his tweet. However, I’m asking you to do better, since he is unable to. If you are truly interested in issues of “public concern,” you would permanently ban Rep. Gosar from your platform as the dangerous terrorist that he is.
Extra Extra Credit
Let’s call Kevin McCarthy at 202-225-2915 or and say:
I’m calling as a voter of [state] to tell Rep. McCarthy, in his role as House Minority Leader, that I do not want my taxpayer dollars used in the creation of violent materials threatening legislative opponents or the President. Not only was Rep. Gosar’s tweet a gross abuse of public funds, but making a video depicting the killing of a coworker in any other job in America would result in firing and a call to the police. Rep. McCarthy needs to join Nancy Pelosi in calling for both an Ethics Committee and law enforcement investigation into Rep. Gosar’s actions. At minimum, he should be removed from his committee assignments, as Rep. Margerie Taylor Greene was, and officially censured. At best, he should be expelled. Thanks. [H/T]
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to POTUS] {Quick send text SIGN PZDALL to 50409] [H/T]
I’m writing to urge the Biden administration and DHS to begin the process of dismantling the ICE detention system by immediately closing the ten facilities listed below. Years of advocacy and oversight have resulted in an extensive and well-documented history of abuse and neglect. These include, among other things, reports of physical and sexual abuse, gynecological procedures on women without consent, forced labor and medical neglect, at times resulting in death. Fiscal Year 2020 was the deadliest year for those in ICE detention, with the tragic loss of 21 lives, including eight from COVID-19.
The facilities listed below are emblematic of how the immigrant detention as a whole is inherently abusive, unjust, and fatally flawed beyond repair.
1. Adelanto Detention Facility
2. Berks County Family Residential Center
3. South Texas Family Residential Center (Dilley)
4. Etowah County Jail
5. Farmville Detention Center
6. T. Don Hutto Residential Facility (Hutto)
7. Irwin County Detention Center
8. Karnes County Family Residential Center
9. Mesa Verde Detention Center
10. Otero County Detention Center
Please uphold your commitment to restoring humanity to our immigration system by shutting down these ten facilities as a first step towards ending the use of the immigration detention entirely. People navigating their immigration case should be able to do so with their loved ones and in community, not behind bars in immigrant detention. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk Monday!
Jess