Hi, all,
I hope you had a good weekend. Maybe even got some rest. The rest part is so important, as Dan rather so eloquently reminded us this weekend.
I’ve started taking Saturdays off. As much as I want to work seven days a week, I recognize that it’s neither a sane way to live nor a great way to parent, so I’m forcing myself to take one down day. So Saturday my husband, kid and I went to the Los Angeles Cathedral to sightsee, then to lunch and to do some window shopping. So simple, so routine, yet so incredibly nourishing. Filling the well this way is critical.
Yesterday I got back on the activism horse, attending an in-person “Civic Sundays” for the first time in a year and a half! About twenty of us showed up to write postcards, send texts, and phonebank. I can’t tell you how nourishing that was, as well.
Taking downtime fills us up. Working to strengthen and save our democracy does, too, when we do it with others.
That’s why I started this newsletter.
That’s why I’m so grateful for all of you.
And with that, back to work. 😉
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I strongly urge the Senator to cosponsor the Khanna/Sanders amendment #4535 to S. 2792, the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act. This would cut off U.S. logistical support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, which, for nearly seven years now, the U.S. government has provided, thereby exacerbating the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. It must end. [H/T]
Second, the Senate must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. The partisan gerrymandering, the attacks on our election officials, the dark money, the voter suppression…it’s genuinely scary. These bills are my top priority and they should be the Senator’s, too. [If Democrat add:] We know the Republicans won’t support this. They have shown by their actions that they are opposed to representative democracy. Democrats need to go it alone and get this done, or they will have missed the last best chance at saving it. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______. I’m calling on a few issues today, as there’s a lot going on.
First, plastic pollution is a huge concern of mine. I’d like the Congressmember to support the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act, (H.R. 5533), which phases out the sale and distribution of single-use plastic products in the U.S. National Parks. [H/T]
Second, I want the Congressmember to support the Protecting Our Democracy Act (H.R. 5314), which would protect against presidential abuses of power and foreign interference in our elections.
Finally, I’m so glad that the $5B in federal funding for community violence intervention made it into the trimmed down version of the Build Back Better Act. Please ask the Congressmember to make sure it stays in. And please pass Build Back Better this week! We need everything in it desperately. Thanks.
Extra Credit
It goes without saying that insurance companies are profiting from the climate crisis. They’re raising insurance rates on disaster-prone communities, then investing billions of dollars in the fossil fuel industry, which is making climate disasters more likely.
Fortunately, the Federal Insurance Office is investigating the links between the insurance industry and the climate crisis. They are currently accepting comments from the public. Can you make one? This isn’t a petition or a one-click signing deal. You have to actually post the comment through the official portal. But don’t worry, it can be quick! One or two sentences saying, essentially: “The FIO must use the full extent of its authority to thoroughly investigate how insurance companies take advantage of and contribute to the worsening climate crisis—and make recommendations for meaningful action.” Feel free to check out this sample comment written by coalition partners for inspiration. (I copied and pasted it, then personalized).
This is a big opportunity. Insurers are chasing short-term profits from the destruction of our planet, endangering communities in the process — and the Federal Insurance Office is finally ready to do something about it. Please let them know that this is a priority for you. Comment here.
(And don’t forget to sign up with Stop the Money Pipeline for more actions like this. They’re doing amazing work.)
Get Informed!
On Tuesday, 11/16 at 9AM PT /12PM ET Big Tent is hosting a talk by Amanda Litman, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Run for Something.
Litman will discuss the importance of down-ballot races and how recruiting and supporting young candidates is important to save our democracy. Run For Something aims to make public service desirable, interesting, and honorable. Come hear all about it! Litman is AMAZING and the work she and RFS are doing is critical. Sign up here.
Get on the Phones! ☎️
I'm going to ask you to sign up for 1 of 3 phonebanking shifts for the upcoming Atlanta mayoral runoff election. Please allow me to explain why this is so crucially important.
First reason: Big city mayors can be climate leaders...but only if voters force them to be. This is a very important election for the climate movement.
Second reason: In 2022, Georgia will have elections for Governor, US Senate, 14 Members of Congress, 56 State Senators, and 180 State Representatives.
The best way to flood the polls with environmental voters in 2022 is to start talking to these voters NOW.
This is what year-round voter engagement looks like.
Please sign up for an Atlanta mayoral GOTV shift. (Election Day is 11/30). I did.
Tuesday Nov. 16: Atlanta Mayoral Phonebank. 6pm ET / 3pm PT
Monday Nov. 22: Atlanta Mayoral Phonebank. 7pm ET / 4pm PT
Monday Nov. 29: Atlanta Mayoral Phonebank. 12pm ET / 9am PT
It's easy & impactful, and they'll provide all the training you need.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[To President Biden] [Quick send text SIGN PDHXVU to 50409]
I’m really concerned about the slowdowns at the USPS, and want Louis DeJoy to be fired. I know you can’t do this, but you can replace Ron Bloom with someone who isn’t in DeJoy’s pocket.
Ron Bloom is in a hold-over year and you have the opportunity to install someone who will work to rid the USPS of the sabotage from within and bring it back to a serviceable institution. I am calling on you to replace Ron Bloom and help save the USPS before it’s too late. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess