Chop Wood, Carry Water 11/16
Hi, all, and happy Thursday.
I’m on a call, so will keep this opening brief today.
The times remain stressful and scary. The ongoing suffering caused by the war in the Middle East is horrifying. The news environment is frenetic, to say the least, and often biased. Republicans are descending further into cruelty and chaos. It’s easy to spin out about how all of this could affect next year’s elections.
Marcus Aurelius, an esteemed Roman Emperor and philosopher, once said: “Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.”
I love this quote, and raise it today to remind us all, once again, that, while the future does feel, at times, terrifying, we will meet whatever comes with the same intelligence, strength, and coherence with which we are meeting the current moment.
So let’s stay in the day. We know it works. We have no ability—none!—to predict what will happen in a year, a month, or even in a week. We know that the government will be open for another month or two, thanks to Democrats, but as far as politics go that’s about it.
But here, today, we know what needs to be done. We know what calls to make, we know what letters to send, and we know what advocacy we need to do for the issues we hold dear.
So let’s do those things, chopping wood and carrying water, and trust that, regardless of what comes, we will be there to meet it with the same fortitude we’re showing now.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I know there will soon be a full Senate vote on a temporary rules change to enable the Senate to get around Tommy Tuberville’s unreasonable and dangerous military promotions blockade. I want the Senator to support it. [If GOP add:] This is not a time for partisanship or cowardice. If the Senator supports our service members s/he will vote for the rules change. If they don’t I will remember it on Election Day, because they are not for our troops at all. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
This morning we learned that House Ethics Committee investigators found “substantial evidence” that Rep. George Santos knowingly violated several ethics guidelines, House rules and criminal laws. Santos has said he won’t seek re-election, but that’s not good enough. He is unable to serve his constituents or his country. He needs to resign now or be expelled. He’s an embarrassment to Congress, to the Republican party, and to the American people. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Ugh. On November 2nd the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the EPA’s ban on chlorpyrifos — a horrible pesticide — ignoring significant and conclusive scientific research which shows that it harms human health, with the greatest risks being to children and farmworkers.
Anyone who’s a long-time subscriber knows that chlorpyrifos was an obsession of mine in 2016-2017. It’s a neurotoxin. It causes brain damage to children. For years it was sprayed on our food crops. The Obama administration began the process of banning it; Scott Pruitt—Trump’s Dow Chemical BFF EPA Director—reversed that ban. After years of advocacy (and, ahem, electing a Democratic President) we got the ban reinstated. Until now.
Please use the Pesticide Action Network’s tool to encourage EPA Administrator Michael Regan to reinstate a ban that will withstand judicial scrutiny and protect America’s people from this harmful chemical. The letter is pre-written for you, but as always personalizing it makes all the difference.
Get Smart! 📚
One of my subscribers, Jeannine in Arizona, sent me an email containing a resource we should all read and share!
She introduced it this way:
Sen. Bob Casey from Pennsylvania made a wonderful report called GREEDFLATION. I urge you to read it [and] share it with readers and on TikTok (the graphics explain corporate greed). Since we are going into the holidays, families will inevitably discuss grocery prices and blame Joe Biden. This information places the blame where it needs to be: corporate CEOs.
Yes! Read the GREEDFLATION explainer here.
Spread the Word! 📣
Consider posting the below article and caption on your social media.
This week marks the two-year anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal being signed into law by President Biden. The benefits of this once-in-a-generation investment in America’s infrastructure and competitiveness can be seen in communities and on Main Streets across the country.
To date, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is currently funding nearly $400 billion for over 40,000 projects across over 4,500 communities in all 50 states, Washington, DC, U.S. territories, and tribal communities. These include efforts to upgrade our bridges and highways and invest in clean energy and are part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which has helped drive over $614 billion dollars in private sector manufacturing and green energy investments.
Win Races! 🗳
All in For North Carolina has one last request for phone banking this year. The MeckDems want us to make a final call to volunteers, a combination of thanks and inviting them to upcoming events. This Sunday will be the last one in this series.
To quote their email:
The party is re-invigorated, active, growing, and demonstrably able to recruit good candidates and help them win. AINC made over 10,000 phone calls this summer, the vast majority of the 12,000+ calls the party made. Mecklenburg County has >750,000 voters in 195 precincts across nearly 550 square miles. Engaging those voters and getting to 55% turnout will take a massive effort. Success in Mecklenburg will help Democrats win nationally and put the NC executive branch firmly in Democratic control -- both critical outcomes for our democracy.
Sign up for November 19 calls to build the foundation for winning in 2024
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
I loved this section from the Climate Coach’s newsletter this AM:
Thanksgiving is almost here. And so is the chance to connect with friends and family. If climate change comes up, it’s a golden opportunity.
Yale’s Program on Climate Change Communication reports that 2 in 3 Americans say they “rarely” or “never” discuss global warming with friends and family. Yet we dramatically underestimate each others’ concern about it and how popular climate action really is. Only 11 percent of the population dismisses that climate change is happening, according to Yale.
So try starting climate conversations next week. Much of the change in actions and attitudes will happen because people talk about it, says climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe.
What to say? Yale researchers have some simple strategies (listen, and find common ground), and this quick playbook from the nonprofit Climate Changemakers offers easy prompts.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[H/T and lots more info] [Text SIGN PSGURJ to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
I am writing as a constituent to ask you to pass the bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act (S.1838 / H.R. 3881). This bill would force big credit card companies to lower prices for grocers, convenience stores, restaurants, consumers, and other small businesses, which all overwhelmingly support the Credit Card Competition Act.
Credit card “swipe” fees are often the highest cost for any business after labor costs. And, often these costs are passed onto the consumer. These massive fees cost the average family more than $1,000 per year.
At the heart of this out-of-control cost is monopoly power. Right now, Visa and Mastercard control 83% of the payment card network, forcing businesses to use their payment systems. Small businesses are left without a choice, while these corporations are freely price-gouging merchants and consumers.
Please take action against the Wall Street giants taking advantage of consumers and small businesses. We need competition, we need choice, and we need to bring costs down for small businesses and working people to be able to thrive.
It is past time for Congress to pass the Credit Card Competition Act. Do so now! Thanks!
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
No matter how busy I am, I always make time to read your newsletter. It's informative and grounding in every way. I can't tell you how grateful I am for your smarts and endurance.
When I spoke to my Congresswoman's staff person, I suggested that she invite Mr. Santos to resign now and told him that Santos doesn't belong in the same legislative body that she serves in.