Chop Wood, Carry Water 1/13

There will be ups and downs

Hi, all and happy Thursday.

I know. The Sinema news (that she won’t support a rules change to pass voting rights legislation) is deeply frustrating and scary. But a bit before seeing that headline I received an email from one of our movement leaders saying:

President Biden is meeting with Senate Democrats today. The press will be swarming around that meeting, trying to talk to Sinema and Manchin. It is possible that they say unhelpful things. These negotiations are going to continue and our job is to remain steady, apply pressure, and make the case that these bills need to get done. There will be ups and downs, but we need to remain focused on our messaging.

So let’s hope this is part of the “ups and downs.” I, for one, will do as they suggest and keep focussed on demanding these bills get passed. I’m an activist. That’s what I do.

I hope you’ll join me. Because if you subscribe to this email, if you’ve ever made a call or written an email or attended a march…you’re an activist too.

It’s not always easy. But when things DO get done, it’s because of folks like us. Not the talking heads, not the lobbyists, not the armchair yellers.

Us.

So lift your head high, take a deep breath, and keep taking action…even when you don’t believe it’ll work.

THAT is when it matters the most.

Call Your Senators (find yours here)

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

[To Democrats—especially Sinema] I’m calling because I’m extremely frustrated that Democrats are getting hung up on Senate rules and not passing legislation to protect our fragile democracy. The attacks on our freedom to vote deserve the same urgent attention as the debt ceiling did. You changed the Senate rules to protect the U.S. economy—do it to protect our vote! Thanks.

[To Republicans] I want the Senator to know that I am wildly disappointed that s/he won’t step up to protect our voting rights because of misplaced party loyalty. Please remind them that they took an oath to uphold the constitution—not Trumpism. Their actions belong in a fascist state, not here. Please ask them to change course immediately and support the Democrats’ newest voting rights legislation before it’s too late for all of us. Thanks.

It’s ALL About “Manchinema”—But Especially SINEMA

OK, so I made a TikTok explaining why it’s critical that we get everyone we know in West VA and Arizona to call Manchin and Sinema, respectively, RIGHT NOW (Sinema in particular 🚨). It’s here on TikTok and here on IG. I also made a google doc to go with it, (you can find it at tinyurl.com/manchinema), which has all of Manchin and Sinema’s office numbers, scripts for each of them, their e-mail links, and—for those of us who don’t live in their states but know folks that do—a text message containing their numbers and a short script that you can send to constituent friends and family. Please share this far and wide—I don’t care if you use the video, but the google doc is a decent resource. Imagine if we all got 3 people to call!

Also, we are being asked to use this toolkit to tweet at Sinema right now. Please do!

And/or, please post this graphic on social:

Fight For the Vote! 🗳

Common Cause has phonebanks every day this week, including one today from 6-8PM EST, calling voters in states with recalcitrant Democratic Senators and asking them to support a Senate rules change to pass the FTVA.

This is not hard; you’ll have plenty of training and support, and now’s the time. This phonebank won’t be here next week because we will have won or lost. Let’s make it a win! Sign up here.

Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)

[to your Senators] [H/T]

The Federal Reserve has a mandate to regulate the banks and steer the economy away from crisis.

But the fact of the matter is that the banks are fueling the climate crisis. It’s time for the Fed to step up on climate action — and Lael Brainard has shown that leadership.

Lael Brainard MUST be confirmed as Federal Reserve Vice Chair. I urge you to vote ‘yes’ on her confirmation when it’s brought to a floor vote. Thanks!

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

Talk tomorrow.

Jess