Hi, all, and happy Friday!
I hope you’re getting excited for Thanksgiving. I am—its colonialist underpinnings aside, it’s my favorite holiday of the year.
Congress is preparing for a Thanksgiving break, too, and, shortly after that, for a longer one that stretches into January. But we have important legislative work to do, and little time left in which to do it with a Democratic trifecta.
So today we’re going to focus on calling our reps, regardless of party, and asking them to stay in session and work. We’ll be asking them to focus on packing as much good stuff as possible into this vital “lame duck” session.
You’ll notice I’ve broken the calls up a bit differently today: you’ll have the same script for your Republican reps, whether Senators or House members. Same for your Democratic representatives.
While I know we’ve made variations on these calls all week, I want to remind you—especially those of you new to this list—that when it comes to calling our reps, repetition works. Staffers are tallying how many calls they get on a particular topic each day, not who is making them.
So let’s keep demanding what we want, over and over again.
After all, the squeaky wheel generally does get the oil. Being the “squeaky wheel” for democracy will help guarantee the outcomes we desire.
P.S. I’m going to start a discussion thread for my paid subscribers today where we can “hang out,” ask questions, share successes, and whatever else you want. I’m also going to post a very cute picture of my dog. Why not? If you’re a paying subscriber keep an eye out. 👀 And THANK YOU!
📲 Call Your DEMOCRATIC Senators and/or House Rep (find yours here and here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m very concerned about a Republican House majority in 2023. We know the Republican playbook is based on sabotage, hostage taking, and an extremist agenda.
We need Democrats to stay in session for the rest of the year so we can minimize the harm Republicans can do by passing popular bills like the Respect For Marriage Act, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the Afghan Adjustment Act, and the Electoral Count Act that are ready for the floor, but that a Republican majority would block. We also need to lift the debt ceiling through budget reconciliation so Republicans don’t have a hostage to take next year–-threatening Social Security, Medicare and the entire global economy!
Will the Senator/Representative commit to staying in DC and getting these priorities across the finish line? I will be closely watching for his/her actions on this and following up. [H/T]
📲 Call Your GOP Senators and/or House Rep (find yours here and here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I want Congress to stay in session for the rest of the year so we can pass important and popular legislation. I am asking the Senator/Congressmember to vote yes on popular bills like the Marriage Equality Act, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the Afghan Adjustment Act, and reforms to the Electoral Count Act that are ready for the floor.
Will the Senator/Congressmember commit to staying in session and getting these priorities across the finish line? I will be closely watching for his/her actions on this and following up. [H/T]
Extra Credit ✅
Let’s write to Starbucks again. I learned yesterday that they HAVE TO write back to everyone who contacts their customer service line within 24 hours; I just got my personalized (ish) response to yesterday’s email from them now!
Their workers picketed in front of 100 stores yesterday. They deserve our support. Let’s keep hammering Starbucks from the customer end. Write them through the same Contact Us form.
Here’s a different letter than yesterday’s, one that’s even more labor-focussed. [H/t]
I am a former Starbucks customer who is fully aware of —and extremely disappointed by--the work Starbucks has done to prevent stores from unionizing.
From hiring the most notorious anti-union law firm in the country, to bringing in Howard Schultz, to targeting union leaders, I am deeply disappointed in your approach to fair union elections.I am demanding that Starbucks sign the Fair Election Principles and halt all of ongoing union-busting tactics.
A part of being an ethical consumer means ensuring the companies I support utilize sustainable labor practices; all of Starbucks' anti-union efforts undermines this.
Therefore I won’t shop with you until you change course. Period.Thanks.
Get Smart! 📚
This is a ways away, but sounds amazing!
A Close Look at the ‘Independent State Legislature Theory
Wednesday, November 30, 6–7:15 p.m. ET
Join this live virtual panel event for a discussion of the so-called “independent state legislature theory,” front and center in Moore v. Harper,one of this Supreme Court term’s most watched cases. Prominent scholars and practitioners will take on the constitutional underpinnings of the independent state legislature theory, the historical origins of the relevant constitutional clauses, and the challenges that a Supreme Court decision endorsing this theory would present for our democracy. RSVP today.
Produced in partnership with the New York City Bar Association.
Give 💰!
Y’all, we are hearing that grassroots giving is WAY down from where it needs to be for the GA runoff. This Georgia Alliance For Progress fund strikes me as the ideal one to give to, as it splits proceeds between all of the best amazing grassroots orgs doing work in Georgia.
If you’re looking for a good general place to give, in short, I think this is it. With such a short window of time in which to talk to voters the work of grassroots groups is critical.
Please help if you can. Give here.
Win GA—make calls! 📲
[Don’t forget, the whole “Help Us Win in GA” doc is here.]
I’m going to jump on to phonebank with the Voter Empowerment Collective today—they have open phonebanking hours between 2PM and 7PM ET. Join me if you can!
Oh, and on Tuesday, November 22, they’re hosting a special phone bank launch with Martin Luther King III, Andrea Waters King and Ms. Helen Butler! That will start at 11Am PT / 2PM ET. Sign up here.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.)
[to all 3 reps] [H/T] [Quick send text SIGN PAUDPY to 50409]
I’m writing to urge Congress to investigate the Ticketmaster-Live Nation monopoly.
The 2010 Ticketmaster-Live Nation merger allowed the ticketing behemoth to clinch a 70% share of the live ticketing market, harming performers and concert-goers alike. Now, Congress must investigate the corporation for potential violations of antitrust law.
Ticketmaster-Live Nation has become, in John Oliver’s words, “one of the most hated companies on earth.” The corporation charges exorbitant fees, which supposedly go to “other parties” but in fact sometimes go to Ticketmaster-Live Nation itself. And the company’s lax security practices enable bots to snap up all available tickets and sell them at a premium, jacking up costs to consumers even further.
In short, the Ticketmaster-Live Nation monopoly forces us to pay a lot of money to a lot of people who do not contribute anything to the actual show that we’re paying to see.
Consumers, performers, and venues need protection from Ticketmaster-Live Nation’s abuse. It’s time for the U.S. government to reverse the disastrous Ticketmaster-Live Nation merger! Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess