Chop Wood, Carry Water 2/23
Hi, all, and happy Wednesday.
I’m actually a bit shaken at the moment, so “happy” is perhaps not accurate.
You’ll see below that Greg Abbott of Texas has just announced new, draconian policies targeting trans kids and their families. It’s gutting and, frankly, terrifying. My child identifies as LGBTQ, so this hits extremely close to home. We don’t live in Texas, of course, but I can only imagine what parents of trans kids there are going through right now. It’s monstrous.
On days when the attacks on our basic rights land close to home it can feel awful. But it’s also a rallying cry—and one I will heed.
This isn’t a dress rehearsal and we’re not overreacting. Those who want to drag our country back to a place of cis/white/male domination are taking off the gloves and coming for what they want. Aggressively.
We must be steadfast and relentless as we parry their attacks.
Then we must counter.
How? With actions. Today I will channel my rage by attending a phonebank for Jessica Cisneros. If I want GOP fascists to see that what they’re doing is endangering their electoral fortunes then I’d better make sure that is, in fact, the case. Texas has elections in about 8 days.
Make. Them. Pay.
And also? Make some noise. 🏳️⚧️
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I just learned that Greg Abbott of Texas has unleashed a horrifying set of new policies that will force teachers and other caregivers to report trans kids; this, in turn, could lead to their parents being charged with child abuse and possibly having their child taken into state care.
First, has the Senator made a statement denouncing this?
Second, the Senate needs to pass the EQUALITY Act. We need to pass legislation that gives our LGBTQ family and friends equal protection from discrimination. We are regressing quickly. Please act. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I just learned that Greg Abbott of Texas has unleashed a horrifying set of new policies that will force teachers and other caregivers to report trans kids; this, in turn, could lead to their parents being charged with child abuse and possibly having their child taken into state care.
Has the Congressmember made a statement denouncing this? If not I’d like him/her to right now. The increased attacks on our LGBTQ friends and family are sickening and unacceptable. We need lawmakers to speak our forcefully against Abbott’s policies. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Let’s contact AG Merrick Garland at the DOJ Comment Line: (202-353-1555, then press 9) or by email (please customize slightly).
I was horrified to learn last week that on his way out of the White House, the former president stole 15 boxes of documents, including top secret classified material. I expect this theft to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
I also hope that you will remove any remaining Trump appointees from the Office of Legal Counsel. This is critical to ensure that nothing and no one is blocking the DOJ from upholding the law. Thanks.
STAND WITH TRANS KIDS IN TEXAS
This news is just breaking but Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that AG Ken Paxton is going to start prosecuting parents of trans kids as child abusers. It’s horrific. Child separation could literally happen in Texas. I just can’t.
Please email his office here. I’ll have more actions tomorrow.
Also, Texas is the top beef-producing state in the country. Please, until Abbott rolls this back, stop eating beef. And tell people why you’re doing it. I’m serious. We’re either allies or we’re not.
Hold Corporations’ Feet to the FIRE! 🔥
The Corporate Accountability Project launched this past Sunday, and it was AMAZING! More than 150 enthusiastic activists showed up and are now writing to corporate CEOs and executives—letters, emails, tweets, and Facebook messages—calling out the very large amounts they gave in violation of their pledge not to contribute to those Congresspersons who refused to certify the 2020 election.
The Corporate Accountability Project’s founders will host another Zoom this Sunday, Feb. 27th, 12PM PST / 3PM EST. Sign up here to learn how you can name and shame the corporations supporting anti-democracy politicians! It’s easy, satisfying, and extremely important!
(Can’t attend on Sunday? Here’s a link to the instructions and the list. It’s simple to figure out how to get started.)
Win Races! 🗳
At 4PM PST / 7 PM EST today join a ReproFreedom Phonebank for Jessica Cisneros (TX-28) to get out the vote for the March 1 Texas primary.
Cisneros is running against the last anti-choice Democrat in the House, Rep. Henry Cuellar. Rep. Cuellar was the only Democrat in the House to vote against the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA), a bill that would safeguard the legal right to abortion throughout our country. He’s honestly awful. And she’s great. It’s a no-brainer.
RSVP Here
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.)
Please send this to President Biden via his webform or Resistbot [Quicksend text SIGN PGFJYB to 50409]. [H/T and background]
I’m writing to ask you to replace the Trump-aligned heads of CBO and BLS.
The American Rescue Plan delivered a record-breaking boost to our economy, demonstrating that democratic economic policies that benefit the broadest range of people possible are the most effective. But the American people don’t feel it because BLS Commissioner Beach has issued early jobs reports that have to be revised upward, month after month, after they’ve already received bad press.
Your Build Back Better agenda is designed to build upon the success of the ARP. But during critical Congressional negotiations on the BBBA last year, CBO Director Swagel publicly disputed its revenue projections.
Both of these positions are traditionally non-partisan, but they’re currently occupied by Trump appointees steeped in failed Republican trickle-down economic dogma, and their actions seem suspiciously partisan. We hope you will use recess appointments to replace them both with officials who understand and support the effectiveness of democratic economics. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess
I have recently been introduced to you through a friend and have subscribed, but I am having some trouble establishing my password, FYI. I keep being taken to Substack, not to you.