Chop Wood, Carry Water 1/19 🥰
Hi, all, and happy Thursday.
Deep breaths. Lower your shoulders. Unclench your hands. The next two years will be a marathon—one run on a hot day, uphill—not a sprint. If we allow our anger, fear and outrage to get the best of us we will collapse before reaching the finish line.
Let’s not do that.
Remember—that doesn’t mean we can’t feel discouraged or afraid. It simply means we need to stay in action anyway. As the old saying goes, courage isn’t a lack of fear. It’s feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
So let’s keep “doing it anyway.” That’s our strength. Our secret weapon.
It’s also the reason we will win.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I oppose Republicans’ attempt to defund the IRS, and want the Senator to oppose it. Rich tax cheats must be made to pay what they owe, and this won’t happen unless we give the IRS the staffing they need to go after them. Please fight to keep the IRS fully funded, and keep working to pass new legislation to make billionaires and giant corporations pay their fair share. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I know that as part of the deal with the GOP extremists, McCarthy has promised a floor vote for the Fair Tax Act (H.R.25).1 I want to express my strong opposition for this bill. It’s a regressive tax that will increase taxes on the working class while giving tax cuts to millionaires. No way. Please focus instead on raising the debt ceiling right away so that our economy doesn’t start to spiral.
[If GOP add:] Speaking of which, the Republicans’ desire to hold our economy hostage unless Congress cuts Medicare, Social Security and other vital programs is repugnant. If Republicans continue attacking these programs I will do everything I can to make sure their elderly voters know about it and kick them out in 2024.
[If Dem add:] Democrats need to stay strong and insist on a clean debt ceiling increase. Do not negotiate with terrorists. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Corrupt coal baron Senator Joe Manchin now effectively controls FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In early 2022, FERC had adopted new rules to consider the climate and environmental justice impacts of projects they review. In March 2022, Manchin forced them to withdraw those rules. Since Manchin intervened, FERC has approved the equivalent of 76 new coal fired power plants worth of pollution - more than 282 million tons of CO2. 😡
Let’s send a letter (ideally customized) to demand that: 1) Congress pass new legislation remaking FERC into the Federal RENEWABLE Energy Commission, 2) Manchin be removed as chair of the Senate Energy Committee, and 3) FERC staff resist Manchin by refusing to issue new permits or orders until climate and environmental impacts can be considered.
Get Smart! 📚
Missed the NDN event yesterday with Simon Rosenberg and the leaders of four increasingly important pro-democracy, center-left media organizations? They’ve posted a recording on YouTube! Watch it here.
Spread the Word! 📣
STAT OF THE DAY
20,000 — 20,000 projects to rebuild our nation’s roads, bridges, railroads, ports, airports, water systems, and internet will be underway this year – thanks to President Biden and Democrats passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Give 💰!
The States Project is very close (within $10K!) of reaching their $100,000 Giving Circles community goal for the PA Special Elections. Two days to go! They need this money by EOD tomorrow!
Sorry to hector you about this, but the States Project is basically saving our country. I can’t support them too enthusiastically. Link to give is here. (Don't forget the 50K matching challenge! You money will be doubled. )
Win Races! 🗳
I’m attending this phonebank for the PA Statehouse races today at 3PM PT / 6PM ET. Join me?
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[to all 3 reps] [H/t and H/T] [Quick send text SIGN PVSYHI to 50409]
The World Health Organization estimates that almost one-third of women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence, with rates particularly high in developing countries. This is a heartbreaking travesty, especially as many of the victims are children.
I was therefore glad to hear that Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky reintroduced the International Violence Against Women Act with U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). This is bipartisan and bicameral legislation to ensure combating gender-based violence around the world remains a top diplomatic and development priority for the United States. It leverages existing U.S. resources to combat and respond to gender-based violence, a critical step toward promoting the human rights and dignity of all individuals as well as regional and global stability.
This issue is urgent, and it needs more American leadership. For many years, the bipartisan International Violence Against Women Act has languished in Congress. Please push for it to be moved forward and passed this session. This issue should be of vital importance to all of us. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
H/T Rogan’s List.
Thanks for another great sharing! I'm a vote for customizing those messages as much as possible. My experience is that "the same message over and over again" TENDS to be counted as one message, but customizing it doesn't just require more effort, it ALLOWS more ways into the issue. When I customize a message I'll at minimum provide my connection to it, and if I can give a specific example of how my comment plays out in real life or based on my experience, all the better.
Jessica, I am wondering if we can get a massive amount of letters and postcards mailed to House Republicans on a single day to be determined--- so many that the deluge of mail to Congress would itself be newsworthy. The messages should be coordinated to plead for the cessation of their shenanigans regarding the debt ceiling.