Chop Wood, Carry Water 11/2
Be a hero.
"I believe that we will win."
—Ady Barkan
Hi, all, and happy Thursday.
We lost a giant last night. I’m talking, of course, about the death of healthcare activist and all-around progressive hero Ady Barkan. In case you’re not familiar with him, Barkan was described thusly in NPR’s obituary:
[He] was a lifelong social justice advocate who championed a variety of causes, from expanding worker rights to reforming the Federal Reserve. After he was diagnosed with the terminal neurological disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in 2016 — just months after the birth of his first child — he turned his focus towards improving Americans' access to health care.
Ady didn’t just “turn his focus,” of course. He threw himself wholeheartedly into the healthcare fight. Barkan became consumed with trying to fix our broken system. He did the work of ten normal activists, all while suffering from one of the most devastating illnesses known to humanity.
He was a central figure in the battle to save the ACA in 2017; his bird-dogging became the stuff of legend:
Barkan first went viral in 2017 after confronting the former Arizona senator Jeff Flake about Flake’s support of tax cuts that would cause healthcare costs to soar.1
He was in D.C. for every protest, got arrested multiple times on the Capitol steps, and led countless lobby visits to lawmakers’ offices. It may not be an exaggeration, in fact, to say that millions of Americans still have health care coverage today because of Barkan’s advocacy and the momentum it created.
Barkan grew more infirm in the years after the ACA was saved, yet he continued to fight, advocating tirelessly for Medicare For All, labor rights, and more. He founded the wonderful Be a Hero. Most recently he went after the deceitfully named Medicare Advantage program. All while paralyzed, in a wheelchair, and with two small kids at home. And all while knowing he wouldn’t live to see the fruits of any of his efforts.
Barkan showed us what it looked like to commit to a cause selflessly and devote everything to it. He brooked no self-pity, no bitterness, and no cynicism. He had every reason to resign from the fight, to retreat to his inner circle, to focus on his illness; he chose, instead, to do the opposite. He chose, instead, to serve.
What an inspiration.
Ady’s favorite chant, I’m told, was “I believe that we will win.” If he could say it, so can we. If he could remain energized, so can we. If he could continue to show up, to advocate, to raise money, to commit civil disobedience, and to motivate countless others to do the same, then so can we.
I’m humbled by his example. Grateful for it, too. I hope you are, as well.
If so, let’s channel that gratitude into action by grabbing each other’s hands, saying Ady’s favorite line in his honor, and then getting back to work one more time.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m extremely frustrated that partisan players in the Senate are blocking over 60 State Department appointments, including 38 Ambassadorships and the Ambassadors to Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon. It’s unacceptable. The Administration needs full diplomatic resources available at this moment to give President Biden clear information on what is happening in the Middle East and other areas of conflict and to meet the many incredible challenges we face. The Senate needs to find a way to remove these bars so the State Department has adequate resources and leadership. This is a national security issue. Same with Turberville’s blockade. It’s got to end. Thank you.
[H/T subscriber Wes, who wrote much of the above script!]
Extra Credit ✅
I know I said I wasn’t going to do actions on Israel and Gaza. I am, however, going to thank President Biden for calling for a humanitarian pause and working to get humanitarian aid to Gazans. Join me if you like. I think it’s important to thank the President for doing what we can all agree is humane when we have Republicans calling for more, not less, aggression.
You can send this quick letter via Resistbot — text sign PVYIBJ to 50409.
Again, I know I’m reversing myself, here. It’s a fluid situation. Also, I think this is what Ady would do.
Get Smart! 📚
The threat of a No Labels third-party bid helping to elect Donald Trump is imminent and real. No Labels leaders claim their “unity ticket” will defy history, all credible polling, and the judgment of every election expert to win the election. This is a dangerous fantasy. Even a well-financed third party won’t come close to winning, but it would spoil the race on behalf of Trump. No Labels already has gained access to the ballot in twelve states, including four presidential battlegrounds. Joe Biden is on track to narrowly win a head-to-head race. But if a serious third-party candidate is on the ballot, he will lose, and we will witness the catastrophe of Trump returning to power.
Opposition to the No Labels bid has united the Democratic coalition. MoveOn and Third Way have taken the lead in pushing back. They have collaborated on op-eds, leadership and congressional briefings, media appearances, and a grassroots organizing campaign to stop No Labels from fielding a spoiler in the race. Please join leaders from both groups for an update on this critical work.
Stop No Labels Update Call
Monday, November 6 | 2:00 PM ET | 11:00 AM PT
RSVP Here
Spread the Word! 📣
WIC, a nutritional program that feeds millions of women and children in the U.S., is in danger of running out of funds. Please consider posting the below on your social media (there are lots more assets in this Fund WIC social media toolkit):
#WIC is at risk of having a funding shortfall, which would lead to massive waitlists & cuts to this program that feeds millions of families. Connect w/ your Senator to say "#fundWIC & invest in families!” https://actionnetwork.org/call_campaigns/tell-your-senators-to-fundwic-now/
Give 💰!
There is a Go Fund Me for Ady Barkan’s wife Rachael and their two small children. If we can afford to donate, let’s. Ady gave everything to fight for healthcare for all Americans; it’s our turn to have the backs of the people he loved most.
Win Races! 🗳
I had an AMAZING time on my phonebank into Pennsylvania yesterday. Talked to so many people, texted so many people important links to find dropboxes or track their VBM ballots—it was a blast. If you think this kind of phonebanking is a good fit for you there’s more today and all weekend. Sign up here.
And of course there’s Virginia phonebanking all weekend, and we need you there. Sign up here.
And there’s an Early Voting text-a-thon later today and then again on Saturday. Sign up here.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[to all 3 reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PFZGHR to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
I am urging you, as my representative, to speak out on behalf of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and to work to secure additional funding in the next short-term FY 24 appropriations package.
This additional funding is critically necessary to ensure that WIC can continue to provide all eligible women, infants, and young children who need to participate with the full, science-based prescriptive food benefit, along with WIC’s wide range of other health and nutrition services.
Failure to include this funding in the next short-term appropriations bill will result in waiting lists and an interruption in benefits. WIC has a track record of reducing hunger, improving diet quality, and preventing disease. Participants in WIC are four times more likely to be food secure than eligible nonparticipants, and enrollment during pregnancy is associated with a decreased risk of household food insecurity after birth. Over decades, Congress, on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis, has provided WIC with the necessary resources to serve all eligible women, infants, and young children.
Funding for WIC is needed now in the next short-term spending bill (CR) in order to ensure uninterrupted participation, benefits, and services. The remaining full funding is needed to provide this level of full support for WIC in the final FY 2024 appropriations package. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Sorry I forgot the Resistbot code for the WIC letter. It is SIGN PFZGHR !
May Ady Barkan's memory be a blessing. May his family be given strength and good health always