My new mantra, courtesy of Noel Casler's Substack today: ‘keep calm and carry on.’ He was talking about the English in WWII. Good attitude to adopt in these scary times.
I was also on the "Run for Something" call - thanks for suggesting it the other day.
I may be a creaky 60-something, but these young people inspire me. I'm in NC and our dynamic chair of the NCDP is Anderson Clayton who just recently turned 26! Am I ever glad that she decided to run for something!!
We've recruited at least one Democrat to run in almost every race in the state despite some serious gerrymandering by the GOP. In 2022 there were 30 state legislative races without a Democrat running - this year it is just TWO!! Now that we are at the end of the Suozzi campaign, I will be switching to getting out the vote for the primaries and registering new voters!
Called my Rep. today about Ukraine aid. Had a nice chat with the LA who answered the phone in DC. I learned 2 things:
1. They are tallying ALL calls on the Ukraine funding, regardless if you are a constituent! Jess -- can you share again the names and phone numbers of the vulnerable R's so we can all call tomorrow?
2. I left a vmail on Speaker Johnson's office phone. No one answered live. Jess, do you have a Speaker's Office phone number?
We need to overwhelm these congress people with our demand that we support Ukraine!!
Funny I was going to put that in today's newsletter and then I just figured "what's the point?" But sure, I'll round up some phone numbers for him. I genuinely don't think Johnson cares what we think, nor do I believe that ALL offices are tallying all calls--that's an office-by-office decision so I'm not sure how any one office could make that assertion. But at the least we can call Johnson as a symbolic attempt to get him on board. He should at least know we're out here and we're angry.
I have had a lot of GOP legislators over the years and have found that if there is anything controversial going on you can never reach a live person. Everything goes to v-mail. Just be glad that they are clearing out the messages - I have called plenty of times when my reps voice mailbox was FULL.
Hi there! I can't help but feel afraid for this upcoming election. I'm a millennial and I'm seeing an ever-increasing amount of my Democratic peers who want Biden to lose to Trump to "teach Democrats a lesson." This is incredibly disturbing to me -- especially since Trump has pretty much admitted that he'll be a dictator on day one. Ordinarily, I would encourage these peers to consider the consequences that all Americans (and the world) would face if Trump won again. But I face criticism any time I remotely suggest that I would vote for Biden in 2024. To be fully honest, I do not think Biden will beat Trump. I'm wondering if the best option is for the DNC to consider a replacement candidate before it's too late. What is your perspective on this?
I think we have very little control over that. We need to work our asses off for whatever candidate we have, and right now it's Biden. I find it dispiriting to hear what you're hearing from your friends, and can only hope that these folks realize that, as Dexter Filkins said in an interview in The Ink Substack today, once democracy is gone it's really, really hard to get back. I don't think people understand just how bad it could get here.
On an unrelated topic, and inspired by PBS Newshour report this evening, I sent this to my senators and rep:
Tianeptine is a prescription drug used for depression in some European, Asian, and Latin American countries. It is not approved for use in the US. although it's been admitted as a diet aid. Tianeptine affects brain chemicals. It seems to affect mood when used in low doses. It also is highly addictive and can be lethal. The FDA must be given more funding and authority to regulate these supplements that are killing our citizens. Thus far, their action has been inadequate. Please help to do something before this becomes the next big tragedy.
There is just a bit of disconnect as I am personally not seeing my energy bills going down. Perhaps I’m an outlier, I dunno. But, if we’re gonna preach it, it’s gotta be felt at street level. I’m just sayin’.
Good stuff, thanks. I am more about the fact that the PUC granted PGE an 18% rate hike, that started January 1, ignoring public outcry, and feeding media justifications that really don’t amount to much more than: ‘because we can’ (mild exaggeration, obviously). Public utilities have never had to compete and their consumers are captive, which gripes me big-time.
THEN, we see all sorts of ‘programs’ talked about to assist the new crop of those struggling. If they are going to keep adding to the cause if growing struggles, then at least let us witness PGE experience same. Misery likes company. Show me a PGE executive panhandling and I’ll be satiated. 😎
In the same news cycle there is no shortage of city leaders expressing astonishment at the scope of the homes-less crisis … well DUH! Do they believe we ALL drive turnip trucks, or what?
Anyway, the suds are getting slippery up here on my soapbox, so I’ll take a break & just say thank you fir your content & the energy you project.
Hi, Jessica-- I was on your amazing Give Smarter zoom and am still working through your suggestions. I am VERY active in New Hampshire, and want you to know how I believe our efforts on the ground here can be well supported. Here is one I strongly recommend, and support as a sustaining member: https://movethegoalpostsnh.com/ Please check it out and consider recommending. We are a peculiar and important state.. Witness the way we SLAYED with the Write-in Biden first in the nation primary grass roots work!
Here's something funny. I'm on the Run For Something distro. The problem in NYS is if you're not part of the establishment dems and do try to run, they will decimate you. I'm not even talking about progressives. The dem party (whatever exists of it) will literally eat their own if you aren't part of their inner circle.
Jessica -- I recently shared a @Joyce Vance post which she opted to restack, giving it loads of traction. In my note, I asked for suggestions about how to engage the disengaged and persuade those who've lost faith in our elections. Among the few replies that actually offered that kind of information was a recommendation for Chop Wood, Carry Water. I could not be happier to have landed here. Your actionable and hopeful posts are exactly what we need! Thank you!
I tried both the links in the section on Mind the Gap voter mobilization by AIR. Both of the links were blocked saying that they were malicious sites. Is there something I’m missing? I even tried a Google search to go to AIR directly or Mind the Gap and found no direct links. Help me donate to them please!
Got it to go through on my phone - just wouldn’t work on my iPad. Weird. Thank you for all you are doing! It helps me be more positive in these crazy, crazy times!
Congratulations Jessica! You helped get Suozzi elected!!!!!
In other good news, Pennsylvania now has a Democratic Statehouse! The hits just keep on coming.😁
55% for him despite the snowstorm! I came here to post the same thing but checked first to see if it was already posted. thanks!
Great minds!😁
My new mantra, courtesy of Noel Casler's Substack today: ‘keep calm and carry on.’ He was talking about the English in WWII. Good attitude to adopt in these scary times.
Always a great one.
I was also on the "Run for Something" call - thanks for suggesting it the other day.
I may be a creaky 60-something, but these young people inspire me. I'm in NC and our dynamic chair of the NCDP is Anderson Clayton who just recently turned 26! Am I ever glad that she decided to run for something!!
We've recruited at least one Democrat to run in almost every race in the state despite some serious gerrymandering by the GOP. In 2022 there were 30 state legislative races without a Democrat running - this year it is just TWO!! Now that we are at the end of the Suozzi campaign, I will be switching to getting out the vote for the primaries and registering new voters!
Amazing thank you so much! Anderson is the real deal, isn't she? We need folks like her running more of the state parties!
Called my Rep. today about Ukraine aid. Had a nice chat with the LA who answered the phone in DC. I learned 2 things:
1. They are tallying ALL calls on the Ukraine funding, regardless if you are a constituent! Jess -- can you share again the names and phone numbers of the vulnerable R's so we can all call tomorrow?
2. I left a vmail on Speaker Johnson's office phone. No one answered live. Jess, do you have a Speaker's Office phone number?
We need to overwhelm these congress people with our demand that we support Ukraine!!
Thanks.
Funny I was going to put that in today's newsletter and then I just figured "what's the point?" But sure, I'll round up some phone numbers for him. I genuinely don't think Johnson cares what we think, nor do I believe that ALL offices are tallying all calls--that's an office-by-office decision so I'm not sure how any one office could make that assertion. But at the least we can call Johnson as a symbolic attempt to get him on board. He should at least know we're out here and we're angry.
Thank you, Jess!
I have had a lot of GOP legislators over the years and have found that if there is anything controversial going on you can never reach a live person. Everything goes to v-mail. Just be glad that they are clearing out the messages - I have called plenty of times when my reps voice mailbox was FULL.
Hi, I just found where Jess originally posted 4 ph# for Holy Mike Johnson
They are in the 2/14 post under EXTRA points.
Hi there! I can't help but feel afraid for this upcoming election. I'm a millennial and I'm seeing an ever-increasing amount of my Democratic peers who want Biden to lose to Trump to "teach Democrats a lesson." This is incredibly disturbing to me -- especially since Trump has pretty much admitted that he'll be a dictator on day one. Ordinarily, I would encourage these peers to consider the consequences that all Americans (and the world) would face if Trump won again. But I face criticism any time I remotely suggest that I would vote for Biden in 2024. To be fully honest, I do not think Biden will beat Trump. I'm wondering if the best option is for the DNC to consider a replacement candidate before it's too late. What is your perspective on this?
I think we have very little control over that. We need to work our asses off for whatever candidate we have, and right now it's Biden. I find it dispiriting to hear what you're hearing from your friends, and can only hope that these folks realize that, as Dexter Filkins said in an interview in The Ink Substack today, once democracy is gone it's really, really hard to get back. I don't think people understand just how bad it could get here.
On an unrelated topic, and inspired by PBS Newshour report this evening, I sent this to my senators and rep:
Tianeptine is a prescription drug used for depression in some European, Asian, and Latin American countries. It is not approved for use in the US. although it's been admitted as a diet aid. Tianeptine affects brain chemicals. It seems to affect mood when used in low doses. It also is highly addictive and can be lethal. The FDA must be given more funding and authority to regulate these supplements that are killing our citizens. Thus far, their action has been inadequate. Please help to do something before this becomes the next big tragedy.
There is just a bit of disconnect as I am personally not seeing my energy bills going down. Perhaps I’m an outlier, I dunno. But, if we’re gonna preach it, it’s gotta be felt at street level. I’m just sayin’.
Yeah, I get that. I think the bills are going down for people who are in one of the federal programs to save money. What state are you in?
Oregon
There's some stuff here--not sure if it's helpful. vhttps://www.oregon.gov/energy/save-energy/Pages/renewables.aspx
Good stuff, thanks. I am more about the fact that the PUC granted PGE an 18% rate hike, that started January 1, ignoring public outcry, and feeding media justifications that really don’t amount to much more than: ‘because we can’ (mild exaggeration, obviously). Public utilities have never had to compete and their consumers are captive, which gripes me big-time.
THEN, we see all sorts of ‘programs’ talked about to assist the new crop of those struggling. If they are going to keep adding to the cause if growing struggles, then at least let us witness PGE experience same. Misery likes company. Show me a PGE executive panhandling and I’ll be satiated. 😎
In the same news cycle there is no shortage of city leaders expressing astonishment at the scope of the homes-less crisis … well DUH! Do they believe we ALL drive turnip trucks, or what?
Anyway, the suds are getting slippery up here on my soapbox, so I’ll take a break & just say thank you fir your content & the energy you project.
Cheers!
Don
Also, this: https://actionnetwork.org/groups/committee-to-elect-house-democrats.
Lara Telersky and the NH House Dems Victory Committee are crushing it....
Hi, Jessica-- I was on your amazing Give Smarter zoom and am still working through your suggestions. I am VERY active in New Hampshire, and want you to know how I believe our efforts on the ground here can be well supported. Here is one I strongly recommend, and support as a sustaining member: https://movethegoalpostsnh.com/ Please check it out and consider recommending. We are a peculiar and important state.. Witness the way we SLAYED with the Write-in Biden first in the nation primary grass roots work!
Here's something funny. I'm on the Run For Something distro. The problem in NYS is if you're not part of the establishment dems and do try to run, they will decimate you. I'm not even talking about progressives. The dem party (whatever exists of it) will literally eat their own if you aren't part of their inner circle.
God that's so awful. What the hell?
Although AOC got through, so it must be possible.
She is an anomaly, but also, she still has a lot to learn. I'm glad she got through, but aligning with the squad is not a good thing.
Jessica -- I recently shared a @Joyce Vance post which she opted to restack, giving it loads of traction. In my note, I asked for suggestions about how to engage the disengaged and persuade those who've lost faith in our elections. Among the few replies that actually offered that kind of information was a recommendation for Chop Wood, Carry Water. I could not be happier to have landed here. Your actionable and hopeful posts are exactly what we need! Thank you!
Aw Elizabeth I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you for joining our team!
I tried both the links in the section on Mind the Gap voter mobilization by AIR. Both of the links were blocked saying that they were malicious sites. Is there something I’m missing? I even tried a Google search to go to AIR directly or Mind the Gap and found no direct links. Help me donate to them please!
OK so the donation link is weird, I agree. Sorry about that. The webinar link worked, though. It's just a Zoom registration link. Try this?https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E93G6kbDRvCA7pcA1Qp3Yg#/registration
Got it to go through on my phone - just wouldn’t work on my iPad. Weird. Thank you for all you are doing! It helps me be more positive in these crazy, crazy times!
OK so the donation link is weird, I agree. The webinar link worked for me. Try this? https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E93G6kbDRvCA7pcA1Qp3Yg#/registration
That works for registering for the Zoom, but I’m mainly interested in donating money to them.
OK let me ask them what's up with that.
yeah, Cisco says both of those links are "Bad Request" and won't go any further.