Hi, all, and happy Wednesday.
Of course it’s not particularly happy at all. But here we are. Living to fight another day.
Because we must.
I’m going to quote Dan Rather this morning, because he was capable of being eloquent in a moment when I just felt exhausted:
I have seen the road to progress in my lifetime take many detours. Sometimes new chasms emerge that seem uncrossable. But the reason progress often gets back on track is because people refuse to give up. They regroup, rethink, reorganize, but [don’t] retreat…
I have no way of predicting where we will go. I do know, however, that fatalism has never been a winning strategy. And I firmly believe, with my life’s experience as my guide, that what we sometimes see in the moment looks very different in retrospect. But to change that fate requires energy and perseverance. Recovery is not inevitable but it is not impossible - not by a long shot.
Fatalism has never been a winning strategy. I couldn’t agree more.
So today I will grieve. I will watch extra TV. I will eat a huge plate of pasta.
But I will also continue to take action. In fact, I already have — I remembered I’d signed up for the 9AM Climate Changemakers event and told you all I’d be there. So I was. And it helped. Not to take away the pain, but to ease the anxiety and remind me that, as Dan Rather also said in this morning’s post:
There is a lot that remains good about our nation and its people. There are millions who will have woken this morning and are already hard at work to help make this world better.
I know this is true. I am one of them, and so—if you’re here—are you.
So let’s be gentle with ourselves today. Let’s acknowledge the devastation but also try not to be fatalistic. One bad election does not a destiny make.
Such an election is, however, a wake up call. Reminding us to do more than just read, retweet, or shout from our armchairs as we watch Rachel Maddow.
Like it or not, we are all needed on the front lines.
Like it or not, participation—on the streets, on the phones, in real life, is mandatory.
Like it or not, action—by ALL OF US— is the only way out of this.
So let’s go take some, knowing that we’re fighting for the future our kids will inherit.
P.S. Speaking of the future, Michelle Wu, pictured above, won her race in Boston! She is an amazing, Green-New-Deal supporting progressive. So yay for that!
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
[I know we’ve made this call SO MANY TIMES. But please, keep it up!]
I want the Senator to support the Build Back Better plan to fund healthcare, invest in housing and jobs, help children and families, and protect our environment. It needs to be paid for by making billionaires and corporations pay their fair share in taxes. And I’m delighted to hear that Paid Family Leave is back in it. [If Democrat add:] Unless Democrats want to keep taking a beating at the polls it should stay. And please get this done NOW.
Also, I know the Senate will vote on the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act today. I want the Senator to support it. [If Democrat add:] We know Republicans will filibuster it, though, and when they do Democrats need to enact filibuster reform and pass it. Otherwise we stand no chance in 2022 or beyond. Last night proves it—voters are tired of waiting for results. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I want the Congressmember to support the Build Back Better plan to fund healthcare, invest in housing and jobs, help children and families, and protect our environment. It needs to be paid for by making billionaires and corporations pay their fair share in taxes. And I’m delighted to hear that Paid Family Leave is back in it. [If Democrat add:] Unless Democrats want to keep taking a beating at the polls it should stay. Last night proves it—voters are tired of waiting for results. Please get this done NOW.
Extra Credit
As I mentioned above, I just finished a Zoom call with Climate Changemakers, doing what they call an “action hour.” The action we took this AM was asking owners of small businesses we know to sign on to a letter urging our governments to do more on climate. It’s a very quick process, and they are actually going to deliver the letter at COP26. Does anyone own a small business? Or know a small business owner who’s worried about climate change? If so would you be willing to sign on or send it on to small business owners in your circle?
Small business owners play an important role in both our local community and national economy—small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) account for almost 50% of private-sector employment in the United States. As such, SMBs hold significant influence over policymakers. Let’s get as many as we can to take this quick action. Thanks. Sign here.
Get Organized
Swing Blue Alliance is working year-round in New Hampshire to do the all-important work of building the Democratic base, so we can re-elect Senator Maggie Hassan and Congressman Chris Pappas. Both are likely to be in very competitive races in 2022, and we’ve just seen what happens when we don’t start working on these races EARLY.
They’re looking for folks who want to “adopt” New Hampshire—as in help them win there in 2022, starting now.
Fill out this form to get started. (The team will contact you about your responses only if you check Contact me about volunteer options.)
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess