41 Comments

Thanks for your faithful prompts for action. I happily emailed and called the DC and in-state regional offices for my (unfortunately R) congressman to express my concerns about the venal attempts of the former President to scuttle the the bipartisan, negotiated border solution and aid to Ukraine. When the polite reception guy tried to counter that the congressman always supported a strong border and aid to Ukraine, I politely corrected him. He "says" he does, but has voted the party line many times. I assured him I hoped the representative would resist, and vote for the solution. I said I would remember in November when I voted. Thank you SO much! 😊

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WOW! Great job! Thank you!

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Heather Booth is totally amazing and I am thrilled to learn she will be helping out on the Biden Campaign. I had chance to hear her speak and watch this fantastic movie about her work and life a few years ago. Highly recommend it. You will be inspired as well as impressed@! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6305856/

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She's insanely inspiring, no?

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Totally. Just spending 5 minutes listening to her is a master class in organizing!

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I wish calling my senators and congressman would help. But we are stuck with McConnell, Rand Paul, and James Comer, the 3 biggest embarrassments this state has ever produced.

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But it's still important. I know it feels pointless, but if we don't hammer at them to do better imagine how much WORSE they could get. Remember: MAGAs and 2A folks are LOUD LOUD LOUD. That's why they tend to get what they want. If we don't at least try to approach the amount of noise they're making our lawmakers will cave on even more than they already are. Please don't give up.

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The last time I tried to call their mailboxes were full. Their email results in getting a copy of their rah-rah newsletter, and from Paul and McConnell a note telling me I'm wrong because the Uber Right is always right. It doesn't help that Comer runs unopposed all the time.

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Does he? I don't think he is this time, though, right? Didn't I hear that a woman was running against him and hitting him really hard on abortion?

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I haven't heard about this cycle. The last 2 times he has been the only choice on the ballot.

A pro choice candidate in Allen Co KY has about a snowball's chance of getting elected. The only hope is if the democrats in our district in Simpson and Barren counties pull their thumbs out and vote (after living on the buckle on the Bible belt for 35 years I have developed a lousy attitude about republican politics)

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Swing Left will do the focused, prioritized heavy lifting. Run for Something will do the rest-which also involves some heavy lifting.

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Totally.

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Donated to your matching MVP fund via the link but it doesn't show anything as being matched. Also, the link for "donating here" and the link for "share here" both go to the same donation page.

"MVP vets and then funds the most effective grassroots organizing groups working on the ground in swing (and other) states. [...] See their 2024 plan here—your donations will go towards executing it.

Donate to my matching fund campaign HERE! And if someone you know is asking “where should I give?” Tell them HERE!"

Anyway,

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Yes. It's all the same place. It's an MVP page but the link is tagged so we know what donations come in through it. Don't worry--your donation went to the right place!

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I am curious to hear your thoughts on a bit of a conundrum we face here in FL. We’ve been told that we need good and new people to run for office at the local, state, and federal levels so that we can get the state back on the right track. I have a friend who recently stepped up to the plate (Kari Lerner for Florida, FL-19). She will be running for Byron Donalds seat. I’m glad she is running not just because of the larger issues on policy but also so that Donald’s will have to expend some resources this election cycle. So here is something meeting the need on new candidates.

Now we are faced with getting support. Early efforts to reach beyond states lines have yielded no positive response since our area is a “lost cause” and organizations want to target the “critical” areas.

So on one hand, we hear Run for Office We Need You! Then on the other hand, we hear No We Cannot Help You Because Your Area Doesn’t Matter.

Anyways, her campaign is just getting off the ground and I’m hoping we can break through this mindset.

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Thanks for the MVP tip Jessica. These types of PACs seem much more effective than giving to candidates alone. I put them on my ActBlue monthly, with Voters of Tomorrow, Mi Vecino and a couple of others. Robert Reich's Inequality Media looks effective too. He always knows his shit.

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MVP is literally the best. Thank you!

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A quick question. What are your thoughts on Mary Trump's Democracy Defense Fund, as well as Mi Vecino and Voters of Tomorrow? It's good to know who is effective or not.

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Me Vecino is amazing. Not super familiar with Voters of Tomorrow. Can you post a link to Mary Trump's fund and I'll take a look?

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https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGwJvgbPDNzTXhMHSPTbrVMPvbg

WHEW! I'm no computer geek and I think I got rid of the problem. That should be the https you need for Mary Trump's organization.

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I'll try to cuT and paste the https . Voters of Tomorrow is a new one that is all kids in school working on those who will be old enough come November. Kids talking to kids seems very effective. I'm chipping in to them,Mi Vecino and Reich's I.M.

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This might take a while. Every https.. of all my emails has the name of a close friend and some numbers. I'm going to have to get this straight.

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Don't worry I'll just google them. The link above is to gmail. LOL

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I trust your judgement.

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I was registered in Colorado I am changing to Pennsylvania ...registered as a dem.

does it serve any purpose to change to GOP and let those idiots know what I think?

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I mean, I couldn't register as a Republican if you paid me. I think the numbers of Democrats staying steady is more important, so...no? But do what you think is best, needless to say.

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No...I couldn't do it....it would be like converting to Mormonism or Catholicism..or, any religion.. ...I was just thinking of making trouble for them.

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What is your handle or whatever on TikTok? I want to follow you there and share the work you do!

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@jesscraven101 on tiktok and IG. 😄

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Rep. Michael Burgess is an OB-Gyn retiring after 20 years in Congress. He currently wants his Health Care Task Force on the Budget Committee to be an incubator for ideas in health care. I wonder if Jessie might consider mobilizing this fantastic group to bring the Medical Care Reinvention Act, MCRA, to his attention. The text is easily available in Chapter 2 of "The Price Of Eggs Is Down" amazon kindle or paperback. MCRA is universal and voluntary. Fits in the present chaos more smoothly than M4a. Lowers cost and improves quality by diminishing bureaucracy of corporate hospitals and insurance, diminishing defensive medicine, returning the non monetary rewards to patient care, improving physician and patient motivation for preventive care, focuses power and responsibility on the therapeutic Dr/Pt relationship. He is a Republican, but 20 years ago that was different. Love, Doc

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I wonder if Alan Unell knows about this bill?

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Thanks for all you do - I read your emails and take action of some kind almost every day. I'm wondering what you make of emails from Progressive Hub, which I also follow, since they are very against having President Biden be the democratic nominee - mostly because of actions in Gaza. https://progressivehub.net/naomi-klein-if-biden-wants-to-stop-trump-he-should-step-down/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=d0c6b2b9-1323-4da5-9a81-dc3708e5bf7f See this article as an example. What do you make of these and how truthful is it that the Gen Z group is not going to vote at all because of Gaza. Thanks! Looking forward to hearing your take on all this.

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It's destructive and unproductive beyond belief. Biden is the nominee. Period. We get behind him or we elect Trump.

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I agree totally.

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You have to remember that those actions in Gaza are not Joe Biden's. Likud and Netanyahu are doing all of that and the Biden administration is doing all it can to rein in the Israely Right wing in the face of all that.

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I agree - I’m just concerned about how to Deal with that perception and focus on all the multitude factors of Biden positives.

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I think you are asking the right question. And, I think each of us can take it upon ourselves to be emissaries of the multitude of Biden positives every chance we get. By which I mean with the people we know and interact with every day as well as in our social media. You would be surprised how quickly you can turn a person who is fearful Biden can't win into another Biden cheerleader once you start giving them the facts on the economy and so much more. For a quick summary or the economic good news (there is soooo much of it), I highly recommend this video https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/our-january-gathering-joe-biden-is?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=emailf from Simon Rosenthal plus his Hopium substack. The first 20 minutes of the video is a great interview with Tom Suozzi who is running in a critical special election for George Santo's former seat in NY -03 on Feb. 13. The last 40 minutes are devoted to the economic successes of the Biden Administration and other useful analysis. You can get some of these data points at your fingertips to roll out when folks you know get down on Biden!

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The big economic history of 2023 tends to put President Biden back in the White House, BUT light Texas crude oil closed today at $78.23. The closer to $70 the better for Joe. at $80 or higher, the more dangerous for the President. We have 10 months uncertainty until the voting. This is crucial work hard for Jessica and us. Love, Doc

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Great! Thank you for this.

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refer the Gen Z to "Every War Is An UnCivil War" so they can understand why they support the Palestinians in Gaza AND why the President chose his present course. Being more informed about this chaotically complex situation may distress anyone, but it might help move their votes to President Biden in November when a crushing electoral victory is crucial.

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Interesting. Haven't heard of it.

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