Chop Wood, Carry Water 2/12
Announcing our Chop Wood, Carry Statehouses Winners!
Hi, all, and happy Monday!
Hope you’re well rested—it’s going to be a big week. We’ve got a Special Election to win—actually two—a foreign aid package to get passed, and a beleaguered President to support. Most of all, we have a democracy to defend. So let’s get to it!
On that note, I’d like to announce the winners of our Chop Wood, Carry Statehouses poll—drumroll, please!
Our Giving Circle will raise money for…Pennsylvania and Arizona!
I’m excited about this, as we have a LOT of opportunities in both states. Read about what TSP hopes to accomplish in the state legislature in Arizona here, and in Pennsylvania’s here. Our investments in these states will also help hold one vital U.S. Senate seat in PA and transfer another from a lousy-Democrat-to-Independent to a “real” Democrat in AZ! This will all help Joe Biden win these states again in November. Bravo!
As I’ve said, I’ve set an absurdly ambitious goal of 100K for our Giving Circle—after all, the stakes this year are absurdly high—but I believe with all of you helping we can reach it. Here’s the link to the Chop Wood, Carry Statehouses page. Please, please give if you can, and send it to everyone you know who’s wondering where best to put their money this year. Melissa from TSP has promised me it will be updated with blurbs about our chosen states at some point today. If you don’t have another Giving Circle you’re fundraising for I’d be so grateful if you’d help me fundraise for ours.
Remember: we can do very little about the legislative mayhem, the relentless bad news, the broken press, or the cult-like behavior of MAGA Republicans. We can do nothing about Biden’s age (not to mention that I'd rather have a President with 81 birthdays than one with 91 felonies). We can do nothing about his occasional verbal gaffes, which are not only normal but apparently something he’s done forever.
But we CAN chop wood and carry water, doing the things we know have worked before, while steadfastly keeping our focus on what’s directly in front of us—not what’s nine months down the road.
That, my friends, is how we stay sane. It’s how we stay calm.
It’s also how we win.
P.S. — Many of you have asked for a recording of the Smart Donations webinar I gave last week. It’s finally up! Watch it here. The accompanying document with links to all of the organizations I talked about (and a few that I didn’t, but should have) is here.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling to insist that the Senator support the foreign aid package currently before the Senate. In light of Donald Trump’s horrifically irresponsible comments about NATO this weekend it’s critical that we confirm through our actions that America will, in fact, stand with its allies.
I’d also like the Senator to support and work to pass the Child Tax Extension bill.
Finally, I strongly urge the Senator to work to block Andrew Biggs’ confirmation to the Social Security Advisory Board. He wants to privatize Social Security. He can’t get anywhere near that position. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
At some point in the next few days, the Senate looks like it’s going to pass a $95 billion package that includes aid for Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine. I want the Congressmember to support that package when it comes to the House and be prepared to do whatever it takes, including using a discharge petition, to get it passed. Aid for Ukraine is that important to me. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Join End Veteran Debt’s campaign to advocate for a treatment that greatly benefits Veterans suffering from chronic pain. How? Easy! They’re using Resistbot!
Text SIGN NOMPPR to 50409 to urge your Congressional representatives to work to reverse the VA’s decision to lower reimbursement rates for massage therapy for chronic pain. You can read the full letter here if you’d like to.
The VA’s own research shows that 92 percent of Veterans who receive this therapy self-report reduced pain, increased activity, better sleep, and improved mood, with half reporting a reduction in both over-the-counter and prescription pain medications. And yet, in this particular case, the VA is working against its own mission and purposes. Let’s tell Congress to set them straight!
Get Smart! 📚
Here’s a post I think you’ll want to read from the excellent
: “Is the press trying to help elect Trump?”It’s written by Jason Sattler, of LOLGOP fame. Read it; it’ll make you feel better and remind you how to handle the dangerous nonsense we’re facing.
Spread the Word! 📣
For several years, Research Collaborative and ASO Communications have tested how to best convey to voters the reach and virulence of our opposition’s attacks on our freedoms, including their criminal conspiracy to overthrow the 2020 election. In a new memo, they make the case that describing Republicans as “extremist” hinders our ability to effectively tell this story and disqualify our opposition.
Key Takeaways:
Having an effective modifier for Republicans is essential.
An effective modifier must capture the unique threat Republicans pose. “Extremist” fails to do that.
“Extremist” positions Republicans as still existing on an acceptable political spectrum, instead of highlighting their fascist rhetoric, tactics, and aims.
“Extremist” is a term that too many voters apply to “both sides.”
“Extremist” limits our ability to expand the scope of disqualification.
They recommend “MAGA” and “Trumpist” instead as more strategic choices.
Win Races—NY-03! 🗳
I’m phonebanking for Tom Suozzi one last time today! TOMORROW IS ELECTION DAY!! 😬
I’ll be at the 3PM PT shift. But there’s an earlier one, too. Let’s do this!
Win Races—PA HD-140 🗳
Don’t forget we also have a really important election in Pennsylvania tomorrow to make sure we hold the House majority there.
You can phonebank for that today or tomorrow by signing up here. Please do!
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
The Environmental Voter Project just sent out a recording of their latest webinar, “An Introduction to the Environmental Voter Project.”
Please watch it if you don’t yet know about this wonderful organization, and please forward to anybody who might be interested in learning about (a) how EVP targets & mobilizes low propensity environmental voters, (b) their voter turnout results, or (c) how to support or volunteer with EVP. Thanks!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your Senators] [H/T] [Text SIGN PEKZVJ to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
I strongly urge you to prioritize and pass S.3548 - the Health Care Prices Revealed and Information to Consumers Explained Transparency Act, to end over-charging for health care and to give Americans clear hospital prices.
For too long, people like me haven't been able to get an upfront accurate price for the health care services we need. With health care prices rising, we are shouldering more of the cost out of our own pockets. So it's more important than ever to be able to find clear prices in dollars and cents.
Two years ago hospitals were required to list their prices, but too many posted them in hard-to-understand formulas and using complicated digital files. We need hospital prices in dollars and cents rather than unreliable estimates or hard-to-use formulas. We need to have clear pricing for health care treatments before we receive them.
Please vote to require hospital price transparency to improve competitive pricing between facilities, and to institute site-neutral payments to eliminate unnecessary over-charges in doctor's offices. The House has already passed health care price transparency legislation—it’s time for the Senate to do their part. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
This sentence should be a meme!
"I'd rather have a President with 81 birthdays than one with 91 felonies."
We can hope for Divine intervention every day; meanwhile work as hard as we can!