Chop Wood, Carry Water 1/9

Hi, all, and happy Thursday.

I hope everyone is safe and staying as well as possible considering the circumstances. Mj and I are still in New York and will be here until at least Saturday. Mike is safely back in our house—it was never really threatened but the Eaton Fire is close, so he’d gotten out just to be cautious. The air quality is absolutely ghastly, apparently, but he’s going to try to hunker down there with air filters, and we’ll join him soon. While I’m grateful to be here in New York with my parents, Mj and I are both desperate to get home.

Of course, we are so lucky to have a home to return to. I can’t even describe how many people I know who’ve lost theirs. It’s shattering.

It’s really hard right now, my friends—I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t reeling. I know many of you are, as well. But this, too, shall pass—we will find a way to recover, move on, and comfort those who have it worse than us. Remember, there will always be someone to help, and helping others tends to be a great way to pull ourselves out of despair.

Taking simple actions like the ones below also helps a lot. So let’s do that!

Sending so much love. Hang in there, everyone.

Let’s get to work.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m calling to express deep concern about the nomination of Pete Hegseth. His behavior and rhetoric indicates that he is absolutely unfit to lead the Department of Defense. His confirmation as Secretary of Defense would be detrimental to our national security and disrespect a diverse array of service members who have expressed their willingness to sacrifice for our country. We will be less safe under his leadership. Please, please oppose it. Thanks. [H/T]

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

My name is _____ and I’m a constituent from [zip.]

I urge the Representative to vote NO on HR 22, the SAVE Act, which would disenfranchise millions, and HR 28, which will force schools to exclude trans children from sports. S/he should also oppose all other bills on the GOP priority list. Congress is supposed to be working on legislation to lower costs for Americans, solve the immigration crisis, and address the climate emergency, not make it harder to vote or attack our most vulnerable kids. Please get your priorities in order. Thanks. [H/T and more info]

Extra Credit ✅

[H/T subscriber Louise Wolman]:

Let’s email the Supreme Court about upholding Donald Trump’s sentencing. We can say something like the below:

SUBJECT: Donald Trump’s sentencing

As a law-abiding citizen of the United States, I ask the Court not to interfere with Donald Trump’s New York sentencing tomorrow.

Please uphold the long-cherished notion that NOBODY in this country is above the law.

Daily we learn about the clear and present danger Trump presents to the country and indeed, the entire world. Who or what is left to restrain and hold him accountable but you?

Please fulfill your sacred obligation to uphold the law and our highest principles before they are gone.

Thanks.

SEND TO:

Public Information Officer Patricia McCabe PMcCabe@supremecourt.gov

Public Affairs Specialist Sarah Stephens sstephens@supremecourt.gov

And the department itself: PIO@supremecourt.gov

OR you can send it without editing it by texting SIGN PFSWOW to 50409 or however you reach Resistbot.

Get Smart! 📚

From the Progressive Caucus Center:

The incoming administration plans to slash federal support for services working families depend on, including by “impounding”—that is, illegally withholding—funding approved by Congress. On January 14 at 4PM ET we’re convening experts to break down what impoundment is, how to spot it, and its consequences for working families.

We’ll hear from:

• Special guests, Raquel Spencer and Adam Wilson, House Appropriations Committee (Democratic staff)

• Richard Kogan, Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

• Catherine Rowland, Legislative Affairs Director, CPC Center

Register here by January 13 to save your spot for this critical conversation!

This event is off-the-record and closed to the press, so if you’re press don’t come! Thanks!

Give 💰!

Stephen Schear, an amazing activist and volunteer fundraiser, sent me this. I agree with every word!

The equation for beating oligarchs is simple: keep the power we have and take power from Republicans whenever we can. We now have a golden opportunity to help keep the power we have by donating to Susan Crawford to support her election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Most of you remember the successful 2023 campaign of Janet Protasiewicz that flipped the Wisconsin Supreme Court, resulting in a 4-3 Democratic majority. That caused an end to gerrymandered maps that had given the GOP huge majorities in the state legislature. As a result, despite the general rightward swing in November, Democrats gained 10 seats in the State Assembly and 4 in the State Senate. We now have a realistic chance to win a Democratic majority in one or both chambers in 2026.

Crawford faces a tougher race than Protasiewicz, for a couple of reasons. Her Republican opponent, Brad Schimel, won an election for the state’s Attorney General in 2014. He will have greater name recognition than Crawford, who is an unknown to most Wisconsin voters. In addition, Ben Wikler, the Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, who is a wonderful fundraiser, is busy trying to get elected Chair of the Democratic National Committee. He won’t have nearly as much time to raise money for Crawford as he did for Protasiewicz.

As a general rule I support funding state and county Democratic parties or grassroots organizations rather than candidates, to build infrastructure that lasts beyond a single election. In this election, it makes more sense to give directly to Crawford’s campaign. She can buy television ads at a cheaper rate than the WisDems, and she will need to buy lots of tv soon to gain the name recognition she needs. The WisDems have a good infrastructure already in place, and short-term contributions to the state party won’t contribute much to building long-term power.

You can give to Susan’s campaign here.

Win Races! 🗳

Swing Blue Alliance invites you to their weekly “Frontline Update” this weekend, where you’ll have a chance to meet Judge Susan Crawford, who is running to win a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court this April.

This election is critical to protecting the hard-fought fair election maps that were recently instituted in Wisconsin. Judge Crawford will share her vision for this pivotal race, and group leaders will discuss how Swing Blue Alliance is mobilizing to support her campaign. This is your chance to hear firsthand how we can collectively make a difference in shaping the future of Wisconsin and beyond.

The Zoom gathering is on Saturday, January 11, from 10-10:30 am ET. This promises to be an inspiring and action-oriented event! RSVP Today

Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥

While one person alone cannot fix global warming, lots of people taking action can make a difference. So why not consider kicking off the new year with a resolution to do more? Bloomberg Green has a whole list of options for people with all budgets and levels of commitment to start living in a more climate-friendly way — from reducing the meat you eat to leasing an EV. Find them here!

[H/T and more info at Climate Change Resource’s TAKE ACTION page]

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

Talk soon.

Jess