In a dark time, the eye begins to see.
-Theodore Roosevelt
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!
This will be an odd week—at every meeting I’ve attended so far I hear the same confused discussions, as Democrats try to figure out what to focus on next. Oddly, the climate provisions in the Build Back Better Act seem to hold the most hope of being passed, so there seems to be a building consensus to focus on them. But it’s not yet set, so we will help it get there!
I know there’s lots of craziness in the world right now, but in a single productive action we can find calmness, focus, and intention. And when we take a few actions in a row, we can feel the positive energy surge back into us.
Remember: fear leads to a feeling of powerlessness, which leads to inertia, and greater fear.
Taking action despite fear breaks the feelings of powerlessness and leads…to hope.
And empowerment.
And victory.
So let’s do that one more time.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I want the Senator to work to pass legislation with over $160 billion in clean electricity tax incentives to put the U.S. on track to cut emissions in half by 2030. If it’s impossible to get the full Build Back Better Act passed right now, we must, at least, pass the climate provisions. We are running out of time. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I want the Congressmember to work to pass legislation with over $160 billion in clean electricity tax incentives to put the U.S. on track to cut emissions in half by 2030. If it’s impossible to get the full Build Back Better Act passed right now, we must, at least, pass the climate provisions. We are running out of time. Thanks.
Extra Credit
Post this on social (if you post it on Facebook please tag them correctly—below is the twitter tag):
Procter & Gamble has been raising prices on everyday necessities like diapers, toothpaste and detergent and raking in huge profits. Consumers aren't "shrugging off" inflation — they're paying the price for corporate greed. Shame on you @ProcterGamble.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/19/business/procter-gamble-2q-2021-earnings.html
Win Races! 🗳
The Election Assistance Commission is celebrating National Poll Worker Recruitment Day today. This is your opportunity to get involved at the local level and ensure our elections remain free and fair.
Anti-democratic forces are actively working to infiltrate our electoral system, and it starts at this level: with the humble poll worker. By getting involved, you can be a force for unbiased, non-partisan election administration - from the inside.
Please consider stepping up in service of your community, your country, and the rule of law. Learn more here.
Get Smart!
On Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 8:00 PM EST the Center For Common Ground will be hosting a discussion with former US Attorney General Eric Holder about his work as chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee and with All on the Line- an organization committed to ending gerrymandering and ensuring fair maps for all.
Holder is really an amazing speaker—you’ll leave this talk feeling inspired and far better equipped to help tackle partisan gerrymandering in your own state. Come learn more about what fair districting means for our democracy and how you can take action! Register here.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to all 3 reps] [H/t] [Quick send: text SIGN PFHPRS to 50409]
Yesterday an article in the New York Times revealed that, according to new research, cash stipends for poor mothers change their babies’ brain activity in ways associated with higher cognitive skills. If you happened to miss it, it’s here: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/24/us/politics/child-tax-credit-brain-function.html
Evidence that a single year of subsidies could alter something as profound as brain functioning highlights the role that money may play in child development and is, in my opinion, a pretty strong argument for reviving the expanded child tax credit. We already know this money did huge amounts of good, and that without it millions of children will suffer real, measurable harm. But we now know that babies will fare more poorly cognitively as well. How is this good for anyone?
The expanded Child Tax Credit was an amazing success. Please reinstate it as soon as possible. The children—and babies—of America are relying on you. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess
I've been a subscriber for just a few days, but I can already see the value of this newsletter. A very positive aspect is that, in addition to top items concerning top priority issues such as the environment, voting rights and women's right to choose, you call attention to less publicized issues of great importance. Yesterday you suggested calling or writing to our Congressperson to support the bill that would authorize purchase of additional food for our local foodbanks...and I did so. Today, you call attention to the early evidence that just one year of case subsidies to parents is associated with a measurable biological marker of improvement in children's brains. This will be great supportive evidence for communications to lawmakers in support of these payments. Many many thanks.