Chop Wood, Carry Water 2/2

Hi, all, and happy Friday!

Happy Black History Month, too! I forgot to say it yesterday. And it’s one of my favorites!

Speaking of history, I’m listening to a podcast right now called “King of Kings”—it’s part of Dan Carlin’s Hard Core History collection. It’s about the Achaemenid Persian empire in the 6th century BC, and wow, is it incredible. I love learning about empires that rose and fell before ours—it gives me inspiration, teaches me patterns, and helps me keep our current moment in perspective. Maybe you’re the same?

One small detail I find fascinating in this story is that ancient Babylon—a massive, well-defended, thriving metropolis—fell relatively easily to the Persian army. Why? No one knows for sure, but some historians believe it’s because Babylonians were mad at their own leaders over, essentially, inflation. Further, the Persians seem to have engaged in a sort of propaganda campaign that went on for years before their final assault; this campaign undermined Babylonian rulership and highlighted Persians’ successes. It may have been so effective that, when the Persians actually showed up at their gates, resistance melted; Babylonians welcomed their new Persian King with palm fronds.

Wild, right? Inflation. Propaganda. Foreign leaders exploiting domestic divisions to defeat their enemies. Some things never change.

I can’t recommend studying history enough. Everything repeats itself. Everything.

Nevertheless, I believe, as the saying goes, that we were born for such a time as this. Imagine the vastness of history—the countless empires, the 6,000 years of civilizations, the 200,000 years of human existence. Yet we were born now. Here. Exactly at this moment.

History has placed us here. Let’s make the most of it, and help make history in the process.

P.S. — One of you emailed to ask me for the link to Building Back Together’s “clips database”—the one that helps us identify local stories of how the Biden-Harris agenda is delivering in our city or state. Et voila: it’s here. Great resource!

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

I want the Senator to vote YES on S.1992 - the Working Families Tax Relief Act, which passed in the House on Wednesday. This bill will lift 400K children out of poverty. Shame on the Senate if they don’t pass it.

[If Republican add:] I know some Senate Republicans are saying they don’t want to pass this bill because they don’t want to give President Biden a win. Do they have any idea how awful and cynical that sounds? Why are they even in office if they’re refusing all bipartisanship? Please tell them to do their job or we’re going to fire them. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

First, I’m thrilled to hear that the Senate unanimously passed the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act, which puts more federal money towards stillbirth prevention efforts. In one of the richest countries in the world, our rising maternal mortality rate and high number of stillbirths is absolutely unconscionable. I hope the House passes their version of the bill—HR 4581—quickly. [H/T and more info]

Second, the House needs to get it together and pass comprehensive, effective, humane immigration legislation and funding for Ukraine now. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

Post this on your social media:

Want to understand what’s really happening with the border? This article breaks down what’s true, what’s not, and how we can start to fix things.

A Reality Check About Migrants And The Border

Get Smart! 📚

The Inflation Reduction Act is touted as “the biggest investment in climate since ever.” But too many voters don’t know what’s in the IRA. They don’t know how it benefits them and their communities. Elected officials aren’t much help either; they just say “we passed the largest climate bill since ever!” and move on. 

Less than a third of climate voters say they are “very confident” or “mostly confident” in their knowledge of the law. And hundreds asked to learn more about electric school buses, how you and your neighbors can get tax breaks for electric cars or solar panels, and more.

So Climate Hawks Vote is going to break down the IRA so that you know exactly how it works, and can share with friends, family, and voters. This is going to be great! I know RL personally and she’s the real deal. You’ll love hearing from her.

Sign up for the webinar Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 7 PM Eastern/ 4 PM Pacific. 

Spread the Word! 📣

The new Antonia Scatton post, “What’s the Point of Talking Points,” is, as always, brilliant. And it contains incredibly important information for every single one of us. Because, whether we know it or not, we are a huge part of Democrats’ messaging strategy. This piece explains who we’re messaging to, how best to reach them, and what kinds of messages are most effective.

What’s the Point of Talking Points?

Give 💰!

Want to help oust Kyrsten Sinema?

On Monday February 5 from 7:15-8:15 pm ET come to a Force Multiplier fundraising event to meet Rep. Ruben Gallego, Democratic candidate for the Senate from AZ. This is an opportunity to hear from a rising star in a state where MAGA is strong and elections couldn't be closer! 

This race is one of those that will determine whether we can maintain 
a Democratic majority in the Senate. Your contribution will make a difference.

Register and donate here. The suggested donation is $100 but you can give any amount and attend.

Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥

The Environmental Voter Project is holding an "Introduction to the Environmental Voter Project" webinar on February 8th at 12pm ET / 9am PT. Do you want to learn more about how they target voters, or what type of messaging they use, or how they measure their impact? 

Please sign up here.

You’ll be amazed and inspired by the work they’re doing, I promise!

P.S. — There’s also a recording of our Get Out the (Climate) Vote presentation with them on Tuesday, which contains some of the same info. Here it is! If you missed that event and can’t make it on the 8th please consider watching.

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[To: ] [H/T and more info] [Text SIGN PJRJUY to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]

I’m reaching out as a constituent with serious concerns about the future of Medicare.

Currently, there is a letter circulating in Congress, led by Sen. Warren and Reps. Jayapal, DeLauro, and Schakowsky, urging CMS to protect patients from the harmful practices of so-called “Medicare Advantage” plans … and to make improvements to the traditional Medicare program.

I urge you to sign on to this letter.

The record is clear: Corporate health insurers consistently abuse their position of trust when it comes to administering Medicare benefits. They restrict our choice of doctors; delay and deny care that is routinely approved by traditional Medicare; and hit us with surprise medical bills when we can least afford them. Enough is enough!

CMS officials have already received an industry-friendly letter in support of the status quo that was signed by 61 senators. In the coming weeks, they will need to hear from even more legislators who are supportive of policies that will protect seniors from corporate health insurers.

The letter being circulated by Sen. Warren and Reps. Jayapal, DeLauro, and Schakowsky calls for several important reforms: cracking down on the obstacles that insurers put between us and the care we need; reining in runaway overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans; and using the money saved to improve the traditional Medicare program.

While there is much that CMS can do, like lowering monthly premiums for people on Medicare, I also hope you’ll support Congressional efforts to add vision, dental, and hearing benefits for traditional Medicare, and to cap our out-of-pocket costs.

For these reasons and more, I urge you to sign on to this important letter. Thanks.

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

Talk soon.

Jess