Chop Wood, Carry Water 2/25

The fight of our lives is now.

Art by Celeste Byers via @amplifierart

Hi, all, and happy Friday!

First, I have been deeply touched and inspired by the copies of letters to Texas corporations that so many of you have sent me. What thoughtful, well-written epistles! I was moved to tears. Thank you a million times. As I always say, my readers are the best!

Next, many of you are asking for specific calls to action on Ukraine. I have none as of yet, beyond this: Let’s remain poised to help as soon as those action calls come, and… in the meantime let’s look to our own back yards. Seriously. We can best support fledgling democracies across the ocean by ensuring that our democracy stays strong.

I kid you not when I say that everything, everything, everything rests on our holding the House and expanding the Senate in November—as well as making sure we win Governorships, Secretary of State races, and down-ballot races in every swing state.

Why? Losing such seats in 2022 makes us way more vulnerable to having the presidency stolen by Trump in 2024.

Then democracy will be threatened indeed.

It seems counterintuitive; it may even seem selfish. It’s not. If our democracy weakens any further we’ll be in no position to help anyone else.

So help Ukraine by helping President Biden, encouraging everyone you know to vote in every election, and by helping Democratic candidates every way you can.

Begin now. Donate to grassroots organizations. Sign up for phonebanks. Find a local race to canvass for. Register voters. Talk to your friends. We are in an existential crisis less dire than Ukraine’s—for now. But let’s not fool ourselves that it can’t grow much, much worse.

The good news is: we can still beat it back.

But only if we stop saying we can’t, and get to work. NOW.

Call Your Senators (find yours here)

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

First, I am thrilled about the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court and I want the Senator to vote to confirm her as quickly as possible.

Second, I understand that the Women’s Health Protection Act—S 1975— is up for a vote on February 28th. Good. I want the Senator to support it. Protecting reproductive freedom is a top priority for me, as it is for most Americans.

[If GOP or Manchin add:] Senators who vote against this bill will be on the wrong side of popular opinion, and of history. Thanks. [H/T]

Call Your House Rep (find yours here)

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

I’ve been dismayed to learn that since the Child Tax Credit expired 3.7 million children have been plunged back into poverty. This is sickening. Congress needs to reinstate it immediately. Times are tough all over, but that many children shouldn’t be going hungry in one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

Let’s use this awesome toolkit from Demcast to share the love—and some great information—about President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. There are pre-created posts for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Hashtags to use #JusticeForAll #ConfirmJackson 

Extra Extra Credit!

I found one more company to write in Texas! Texas Instruments! Here’s the quick send link, and if that doesn’t work their email address is mediarelations@ti.com. Thanks to reader Yvonne D. for reminding me of the company and finding their email address for me!

Get Strategic! 📚

DemCast is launching a new team to help fight Russian disinformation. Interested in joining it? Anyone with a social media account can help. Sign up here.

Save Democracy! 🗳

Before the State of the Union Address, on Tuesday, 3/1 at 7pm ET Big Tent is hosting a special lightning-round forum with four key leaders in the pro-democracy movement. They will tell us what the threats are to our democracy and what WE can do about it. The speakers are: 

Governor Deval Patrick, Bridge Together

Angelo Carusone, Media Matters

Noah Bookbinder, CREW

Joanna Lydgate, States United Democracy Center

It’s gonna be good.

RSVP here.

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

[to President Biden] [H/T] [Quick send: text SIGN PKNBBE to 50409]

First of all, I want to thank you for extending the moratorium on federal student loan payments.

But as of May 1st, without further action borrowers will once again be forced into repayment. The Biden campaign ran on the promise of canceling $10,000 in federal student loan debt for borrowers, but has yet to fulfill that promise.

Canceling student debt is both strategically smart and morally urgent.

Student debt crushes our economy (over $1.7 trillion worth), and defers hopes and dreams: people cannot buy a home, start a business or start a family because they can't afford it. As we struggle to survive the pandemic, canceling student debt would be the greatest economic stimulus to help us build back better.

And all it requires is the presidential stroke of a pen.

As Congress fails to deliver legislation to help Americans, President Biden can deliver right away by canceling $50,000 per student in debt. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and many others have been urging him to do so for months. Do it! Thanks.

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

Talk tomorrow.

Jess