Chop Wood, Carry Water 2/6
Hi, all, and happy Monday.
I hope you had a good weekend.
I’m in Arizona; I came to tour the border with some folks who volunteer there regularly. Just meeting them last night and hearing a bit about the work they do has already brought me to tears. I can’t even imagine what the rest of today will bring. I’m told that this tour will be life-changing—which both excites and scares me. But one thing I do know for sure: I want to be more like these people. I’m in awe of their hearts, their simple calm, and their courage.
Another fact of which I am reminded: we can face anything if we focus less on fighting the bad guys and more on helping the good ones.
I am surrounded by good ones right now. So are you. When we remember that it’s impossible to feel despair.
So let’s grow the good today—not fight the evil. Let’s bring the light, rather than dwell on the darkness. Let’s add what we can, and give as little energy as possible to those who subtract.
With this attitude not only will we improve the lot of those around us. We will grow our own humanity. And we will prevail.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
We are getting dangerously close to default on the National Debt and I am calling again to ask the Congressmember to work to pass a clean debt ceiling increase as soon as possible. No cuts to Social Security or Medicare, no cuts to nutritional programs. Congress needs to raise the debt ceiling and get on with the business of governing.
[If Democrat add:] Under no circumstances should Democrats negotiate on this matter. Hold strong—there can be no conditions placed on doing what the Constitution already requires. Thanks.
[If GOP add:] Americans are fed up with watching the Republican party sabotage our government at every turn. Stop holding the debt ceiling hostage and get to work helping the American people. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Brilliant! The geniuses at Resistbot—along with the folks at Concerned Citizens of NY-03—have created a special, one-of-a-kind George Santos Resistbot campaign and it’s 🔥🔥🔥!
Just text SANTOS to 50409. You’ll be given the option of reading a list of Santos’s lies one by one, or sending a letter to your Member of Congress about Santos.
Depending on where you live the system will decide which of two letters should get sent - one for constituents in NY-03 asking Santos to resign; or one for folks outside of the district asking their member of Congress to call on Speaker McCarthy to withdraw his support from Santos. So this works for the whole country.
Just text SANTOS to 50409 and let the fun begin! And tell your friends!
Get Smart! 📚
On Wednesday February 8th from 7:00-8:00pm ET Force Multiplier is having their next Community Conversation. This one is called “Principles of Mobisuasion: How to Persuade and Mobilize Voters,” and it’s with the brilliant Anat Shenker-Osorio, host of the Words to Win By podcast and Principal of ASO Communications.
Shenker-Osorio will share her methods of crafting and spreading political messages that win elections, including the recent midterms. Her methods, based on research and testing, have led to wins on issues like freedom to join unions, immigrant rights and criminal justice reform across the world. She is really worth checking out, i promise!
Win Races! 🗳
Activate America has 18K more Wisconsin addresses to write postcards to. These cards are for the primary so must be mailed by Friday! Sign up here—you must provide your own cards. You’ll be writing to Democratic leaning voters asking them to vote for either of the 2 candidates who will support abortion and voting rights. So important!
[Want more ways to help in Wisconsin this week? Check out the newest Chop Wood, Carry Wisconsin newsletter!]
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[to all 3 reps] [H/T][Quick send: text SIGN PGIBLO to 50409]
Last November, the Departments of Education and Justice issued new guidance regarding bankruptcy for student-loan borrowers to attest to their hardships and help the agencies assess their discharge requests. It is a step in the right direction, and while the guidance could be helpful for some, the “undue hardship” requirement is still subjective, and the Biden administration's decision would not codify the changes into law, meaning the next administration can disregard these changes.
It would take an act of Congress to permanently rewrite this wrong and change the bankruptcy requirement for student loan borrowers. And you can do that!
In 2021, Democratic Sen. Richard J. Durbin and Republican Sen. John Cornyn sponsored the “FRESH START Through Bankruptcy Act” which would allow borrowers to discharge their federal student loans through bankruptcy after ten years. Although the legislation stalled in committee, the bill has clear bipartisan support and would have a monumental impact on borrowers struggling the most under the student debt crisis.
The ability to declare bankruptcy is a beacon of hope for people facing harsh economic setbacks, but student loan debt is still the only type of debt people cannot escape from through bankruptcy. With the fate of President Biden’s student debt forgiveness program in the air, a Congressional move to allow student loan debt to be discharged through bankruptcy would be a lifeline for student loan borrowers in the tightest of economic circumstances.
Please pass legislation allowing student loan debt to be discharged through bankruptcy. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Thanks...it’s the earliest time of the day I’ve called my Congressperson!
I am galled that about 1/4 of our country's outstanding debt was incurred under tfg and that now they refuse to pay for it. Hope everyone knows a GOP default when they see one.