Chop Wood, Carry Water 11/27

Nov 27, 2023

Hi, all, and happy Monday!

The word “respite” is defined as a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant. It comes from the Latin root respectus, which means “refuge.” I hope you got a respite over this short break.

I mentioned in last night’s email that I went on a complete news and social media fast this weekend—something I haven’t done in years. It was a refuge and a respite, indeed; it did me a world of good.

The online political atmosphere is really, really intense right now. I only realized how intense when I fully stepped away from it for a beat. I spent time, as my shoulders slowly unhunched, catching up on sleep, having meals with loved ones, walking Dolly, doing Spelling Bee, and reading an entire book—a great one, at that—about the famous WWI battle my grandfather served in. (The latter left me feeling extremely grateful that our fight, while difficult beyond measure, doesn’t involve trenches, poison gas, or grenades. In that regard, at least, we have it relatively easy.)

All of it was deeply restorative, and wildly helpful to my mental health. As much as I want you here with me, I also very much recommend trying such a fast at some point. We just can’t be “on” all the time. Even I can’t!

Having said that, it’s time, of course, to get back to the proverbial grind. A few things that are on the menu for the week:

We’re celebrating a few days of (mostly) paused hostilities in Gaza, a surge of aid, and the return of dozens of hostages—all of which is just fantastically good stuff—so we will keep pushing for more of the same.
We’ll urge our reps to vote in favor of the George Santos expulsion.
And we’ll be keeping a close eye on Mike Johnson’s closed-door “debt commission,” which is an opening feint in his furtive attempt to cut Social Security and Medicare. Not on our watch!

Lots more will come up this week, and we’ll be here to meet it. After all, most of us are rested, well-fed, and (hopefully) ready.

One last note: I need to raise quite a bit more money to unlock my generous donor’s 10K match for Movement Voter Fund, (see the above graphic! It’s true!); I only have until the end of the week to do so. If you’d like to help and are able to, please give here. This organization is so, so important to our chances next year. Your money will be exceptionally well spent. And thank you!

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

I’m calling for two reasons. First, I’m deeply concerned that the fundamental right to vote is under assault. I want Congress to protect and expand voting rights by passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Second, I’m thrilled at the announcement of a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the release of hostages and the surging of aid. It’s a breakthrough in de-escalation. I urge the Senator to release a statement of support and commit to doing all s/he can to turn this pause into a lasting ceasefire and sustainable peace. Also, just as Hamas must never again lead Gaza, Netanyahu needs to go as soon as possible. He is a failed and disgraced leader who has done much to harm peace efforts. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

Second, I celebrate the announcement of a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the release of hostages and the surging of aid. It’s a breakthrough in de-escalation. I urge the Congressmember to release a statement of support and commit to doing all s/he can to turn this pause into a lasting ceasefire and sustainable peace. Also, just as Hamas must never again lead Gaza, Netanyahu needs to go as soon as possible. He is a failed and disgraced leader who has done much to harm peace efforts. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

Let’s send this to President Biden via his webform (if you want to edit it) or by texting SIGN PXRMUR to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER (if you don’t.)

On December 8th, the one year term extension of Trump USPS Board appointees Donald Moak and William Zollars comes to an end, and it’s essential that President Biden appoint strong, diverse, and reform-oriented candidates to replace them.
I call on President Biden to nominate former Representative Brenda Lawrence and policy expert Sarah Anderson to the USPS Board of Governors. These are two public servants who will bring critical perspectives and expertise to the USPS Board of Governors – exactly when the postal service needs it the most. Thanks!

[H/T, more info, and also a petition here]

Get Smart! 📚

On Tues, Nov 28th, 7pm ET - NC Dem Party Chair Anderson Clayton joins Simon Rosenberg! Come meet the dynamic new chair of the most important 2024 battleground expansion state. Register here, and learn more about Chair Clayton here.

—Author’s note: I can’t recommend this event highly enough. I’ve met with Anderson—she’s AMAZING.

Spread the Word! 📣

Want to stay up-to-date with the latest Biden-Harris Administration accomplishments? Building Back Together is now on Threads! Give them a follow at @buildingbacktogether!

Give 💰!

Join Walk the Walk USA this Tuesday, November 28th at 5:30pm PT / 8:30pm ET. They'll be in conversation with Christine Neumann-Ortiz, founder and Executive Director of their long-time partner, Voces de la Frontera, which The Nation called the “Most Valuable Grassroots Organization” in the country. Together, they'll be diving deep into the critical role that Wisconsin is likely to play next year for the future of U.S. democracy and what needs to be done right now in order to win up and down the ballot in 2024.

Win Races! 🗳

Sign up for one or more of the Environmental Voter Project’s upcoming Houston Mayoral Runoff phone banks on Tuesday, November 28 at 12pm ET / 9am PT; Thursday, November 30 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT; Monday, December 4 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT; and Tuesday, December 5 at 12pm ET / 9am PT. I signed up for two! Let’s close the year strong! This election is really important.

Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥

Please join the Yale Center for Environmental Communication for a conversation on deep canvassing around climate change moderated by Dr. Joshua Kalla, Associate Professor of Political Science at Yale University, and featuring Montana Burgess, Executive Director of Neighbours United and Steve Deline, Co-Founder at The New Conversation Initiative.

Noon-1pm ET, Friday, December 1

RSVP HERE

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[to your Senators] [H/T] [Text SIGN PDXRGO to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]

This week, Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) is widely expected to introduce his “Billionaires Income Tax” to correct the absurdity of billionaires often paying lower tax rates than working people.

According to a recent report from the Congressional Budget Office, the richest 1% now holds 31% of U.S. wealth while half of the country has just 2.5% of the wealth.

At the same time, 26 top billionaires paid an average income tax rate of just 4.8% in 6 recent years when all their income is counted. And a number of billionaires—including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Michael Bloomberg—have gamed the system to pay $0 in federal income taxes in recent years, even when their income from their wealth was skyrocketing. That’s not just a lower rate than nurses, firefighters, and teachers—that’s a lower dollar amount in those years.

The “Billionaires Income Tax” would raise $557 billion over 10 years and only apply to taxpayers whose net worth either exceeds $1 billion or whose income exceeds $100 million for three consecutive years.

I urge you to become an original co-sponsor of the “Billionaires Income Tax” to halt runaway wealth inequality. Thanks.

OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess

Chop Wood, Carry Water