Chop Wood, Carry Water 12/10

Hope is an Action

Hi, all, and happy Friday!

Today at noon I am joining about 20 other voters from my district at a zoom meeting with our Congressmember’s office organized by the folks at Demand Justice. We’ll be expressing our concern about the current makeup of the Supreme Court and demanding that he sign on as a co-sponsor to the Judiciary Act.

This is exactly the kinds of grassroots organizing that gets results, even if it takes time. If this is an issue that matters to you, go to the Demand Justice website and sign up to attend a meeting in your own district. You won't even have to talk if you don't want to—there will be other folks happy to carry that weight. But having many bodies show up to something like this indicates a real concern from constituents. That moves the needle!

And in general if you're interested in Supreme Court expansion and you're not yet signed up for Demand Justice’s mailing list you really should be.

OK. lots to do. By the way if you're in the Los Angeles area I am singing – – yes, singing – – at a fundraiser tomorrow for assembly candidate Mia Livas Porter. It’s in Northeast LA. If you have any interest in attending and you're fully vaccinated here’s the link. After all, how often do you get to hear “Blue Christmas” performed by an activist in an arm cast? Not every day! 😂

P.S.— I had a pretty embarrassing performance on the news quiz this week, getting 7.75 out of 11. Want to see if you can beat me?

Call Your Senators (find yours here)

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

I’m calling to say that I want the Senate to pass the Build Back Better act right away, with the “Billionaires Income Tax” included. The Billionaires Income Tax would only apply to about 700 Americans, yet raise about $550 billion, which can be used to cover expenditures that will help millions and millions of Americans and also help protect us all from the worst effects of the climate emergency. It’s a no-brainer. Tax the rich to pay for the Build Back Better Act.

Also, I know that the House just passed the Protecting Our Democracy Act, a bill to rein in presidential abuses of power, root out corruption, and strengthen our system of checks and balances. It now moves to the Senate as S. 2921 and I want you to pass it right away. Our democracy is in serious trouble; we need to build protections into our laws.

[if Dem add:] That's why we also need you to change the Senate rules and pass the Freedom to Vote act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act before you go on recess.

[If GOP add:] I understand that every single Republican in the house voted against this bill and I really cannot express how disappointing that is. I hope that the Senator will be willing to put country above party and support it.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here)

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

I’m deeply concerned because it’s clear that the Supreme Court has become a political body. Americans have utterly lost faith in it. It is time for it to be rebalanced. Is the Congressmember yet a cosponsor of H.R. 2584 - the Judiciary Act of 2021? If not I would like them to sign on as a cosponsor now. Our system of checks and balances relies upon an independent judiciary. We no longer have that. It's a huge problem. Thanks. [h/t and much more info]

Extra Credit

Methane is the main ingredient in natural gas and, when it comes to global heating, is 80 times more potent over the short term than carbon dioxide. This stuff is really, really bad news for our fragile atmosphere. Which really makes you wonder why the oil and gas industry gets away with emitting hundreds of millions of tons of it from wells, pipelines, and storage facilities. 

Thankfully, the EPA has issued rules to limit methane emissions from both existing and new oil and gas operations. But fossil fuel giants are mounting strong opposition to these new regulations. Also, these rules aren't strong enough.

Please submit a comment to the EPA telling them to keep the rules they've already proposed and make them even stronger. This tool has already written the bulk of the letter for you but please please add a sentence or two in the beginning so they don't just illuminate it as spam. Thanks!

Extra Extra Credit

Can you RT this if you’re on twitter? And this?

Get on the Phones January 6th! ☎️

OK, all, I've got a big ask here. I know that most of you don't sign up to phone bank, (which is something I'm really hoping to change), because I can see how many people click on the links I provide. But here's an event I'd like you to consider attending:

On January 6 a bunch of groups across the country are hosting voter registration phone banks, and I am going to be co-hosting one with Civic Sundays. I will do the training and I will be right there with you making calls. We're hoping for this to be a big event; Robert Hubble is going to help amplify it, too. Even if you've never phonebanked before, won't you please commit – – on this incredibly important anniversary – – to come fight for your democracy?

It'll be fun, and it couldn't be more important. And please invite a friend!

Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)

[to your House rep] [quick send text SIGN PLCKYK to 50409]

I'm writing as a constituent who is deeply worried about gun violence in our country, and deeply upset at Congress’s continued inaction.

U.S. Representative Robin Kelly recently introduced the Federal Firearm Licensee Act, a groundbreaking gun safety bill that will work to keep guns off our streets by providing the enforcement tools necessary to crack down on gun trafficking and the rogue gun sellers that perpetuate it. By modernizing and strengthening the federal requirements for gun shops, it will make sure that gun sales are done responsibly, securely, and safely.

It's time for our government to stop bad actors from undermining our country's gun laws.

Please cosponsor this important gun safety bill right away. Thanks.

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

Talk tomorrow.

Jess