Here is how I personalized my email regarding the federal funding for library science agency. I MEAN EVERY WORD!
The Public Library helped keep me sane during a childhood that was chaotic and scary. My habit was to go to the public library, pick out 6 books and read them all cover to cover in the following week while the fighting and the drinking raged around me where escaping into books was the one place of sanity and relief from the unrelenting chaos of my homelife. Without my books to escape into and the anticipation of the next 6 books in the coming week would have made little in my life joyful. I want every American to have the opportunity to escape to the public library when they need to. Continue federal library funding!
Thank you so much for this! Very similar experience here. And to this day, libraries, and reading in general remain a crucial part of my self-care. I will definitely build on your wonderful letter when I send my own.
Great letter! I wrote how my first paycheck job was as a library page while I was in high school. I saw firsthand how families relied on the library for more than just books. We all need libraries to keep communities sane and smart.
You have been doing heroic inspiring and practical work making it much easier for me and others to take action. It matters a big bunch! Thank you very much...
Welcome back, and while the news is still mostly horrible, there WAS an empty-chair Town Hall for Senator Crapo (as well as Senator Risch and MoC Simpson) in Boise yesterday, along with a demonstration outside the hotel where Senator Crapo was holding a 15 minute "town hall" for PAYING guests followed by a luncheon. The demonstration turnout was HUGE. And on Saturday, at least 2,000 people (that's 1% of the state's whole population) gathered on the state capitol lawn to support veterans and protest the Trusk regime. Also, the Wisconsin phone banks I've participated in for Judge Crawford are showing a lot of support for her, and absolute rage at Elon. You love to see it.
There was media there, so I assume so. For sure the Boise Weekly covered it, and probably the local TV news (which I haven't watched since my niece stopped being the evening anchor on one of the two top stations).
Let's face facts. There is only so much we can expect from our Democratic leadership. We the People need to take the fight against Trump/Musk/MAGA,MAHA/and the To-Rich- To Care GOP straight to the streets. We need to start big protest marches, a national work stopping strike, a tax revolt, blocking Musk workers from getting into Federal buildings, keep booing Vance and his wife, interfere with ICE raids, block RFK jr's offices and so forth.
We are the only ones who can save ourselves and the nation we love. And the time is NOW!!
I’m here at Providence Hospital in Missoula, Montana, visiting our newborn granddaughter, Sonia. I am mailing get out the vote postcards for Wisconsin on the way to or from the hospital every visit. I consider these small actions vitamins for the future.
He's my senator too. This is what I said today: "I am disappointed by how you're voting and treating this moment. As my representative, I need to see a louder and smarter fight against authoritarianism. What is happening is not business as usual, so stop acting like it. And, if you can't do that, step aside as minority leader for someone who can."
Thank you, Jess! I really appreciate that you have a range of different ways to help. I still haven't gotten comfortable with phonebanking, but calling and talking to staffers - that's easy now.
And I'm going to protests every week - making signs and just ordered a cowbell (not from Amazon)
Thank you for your daily emails. With so much happening at once, they help me to take action based on what is important from your perspective for the day. Phone calls made. Emails sent.
Thank you for all that you are doing. I don't know how you're staying sane through all of this. I really appreciate your call scripts - it makes it so much easier to have something to read off of when I call my representatives.
I saw how sad you were the other day when Schumer did not even try to fight for our party, countrymen, nor our beautiful democratic republic. My heart was broken for you. I was still in my anger stage. This newsletter has come at a good time. I am settled down. I had time to rid my anger by writing to Ken Martin, Jeffries, Senators Murphy, Blumenthal and Jim Hume’s my representative. I did write Schumer telling him to resign.
Your newsletter and its guidance is going to be so helpful. Thank you for doing this. Godspeed.
Acknowledging and accepting our feelings is important. It’s part of what allows us to move on. And separates us from those who don’t self-reflect at all. We are so much healthier than these folks mentally, although they have no idea (naturally). This is something we should acknowledge and draw on to give us confidence in the fight. We’ve got the richness of empathy, kindness and intelligence that enrich our lives and relationships. What have they got? Anger, victimhood and cruelty. Not a pretty picture.
My senators, Schumer and Gillibrand, are speaking out about Gaza and fighting back on agriculture funding🙄 They could have stopped this entire thing! I have whiplash with them.
Hi, thanks so much for your newsletter. My senators are both Democrats who voted with the Republicans on the CR. Would you consider adding a regular script for those of us lucky enough to be represented by this very special group of 10?
My name is ____ and I'm a constituent from ______. I'm calling to express my intense anger and disappointment at the Senators' vote in support of the Republicans' CR last week. Because of his/her vote and that of a handful of other cowardly Democrats we have handed Trump and Musk the power traditionally reserved for Congress--to appropriate or not at will. Musk's and Trump's attacks on Social Security, Medicaid, the ACA, and every other program Americans care about will now continue unfettered. We lost the only leverage we had. I will never forget this vote, and I will never forgive it either. Thanks.
Thanks so much -- I love this. I live out of the country, so I usually email rather than call. Will get a version of this sent off asap. (Btw, it's very hard choosing a subject from the dropdown menus they offer when you send an email. What are you writing about? Veterans? Budget? Armed Services? Education? Health Care? Social Security? How about, All Of The Above?!)
Here is how I personalized my email regarding the federal funding for library science agency. I MEAN EVERY WORD!
The Public Library helped keep me sane during a childhood that was chaotic and scary. My habit was to go to the public library, pick out 6 books and read them all cover to cover in the following week while the fighting and the drinking raged around me where escaping into books was the one place of sanity and relief from the unrelenting chaos of my homelife. Without my books to escape into and the anticipation of the next 6 books in the coming week would have made little in my life joyful. I want every American to have the opportunity to escape to the public library when they need to. Continue federal library funding!
That is so sad and beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for this! Very similar experience here. And to this day, libraries, and reading in general remain a crucial part of my self-care. I will definitely build on your wonderful letter when I send my own.
Absolutely true
Great letter! I wrote how my first paycheck job was as a library page while I was in high school. I saw firsthand how families relied on the library for more than just books. We all need libraries to keep communities sane and smart.
Birthday blessings, Jessica!
You have been doing heroic inspiring and practical work making it much easier for me and others to take action. It matters a big bunch! Thank you very much...
Thanks, Jane!
Welcome back, and while the news is still mostly horrible, there WAS an empty-chair Town Hall for Senator Crapo (as well as Senator Risch and MoC Simpson) in Boise yesterday, along with a demonstration outside the hotel where Senator Crapo was holding a 15 minute "town hall" for PAYING guests followed by a luncheon. The demonstration turnout was HUGE. And on Saturday, at least 2,000 people (that's 1% of the state's whole population) gathered on the state capitol lawn to support veterans and protest the Trusk regime. Also, the Wisconsin phone banks I've participated in for Judge Crawford are showing a lot of support for her, and absolute rage at Elon. You love to see it.
Well this is great news, indeed! Thank you! Was there any local news coverage of the Town Hall?
There was media there, so I assume so. For sure the Boise Weekly covered it, and probably the local TV news (which I haven't watched since my niece stopped being the evening anchor on one of the two top stations).
Let's face facts. There is only so much we can expect from our Democratic leadership. We the People need to take the fight against Trump/Musk/MAGA,MAHA/and the To-Rich- To Care GOP straight to the streets. We need to start big protest marches, a national work stopping strike, a tax revolt, blocking Musk workers from getting into Federal buildings, keep booing Vance and his wife, interfere with ICE raids, block RFK jr's offices and so forth.
We are the only ones who can save ourselves and the nation we love. And the time is NOW!!
I agree.
Jeffries and particularly Ken Martin and his team have taken a distinctly more targeted approach since the censure vote. In my opinion.
In general yes it is up to us folks.
Shadow cabinet is a great idea! We started a petition for one a while back. Please repost this and sign if you'd like. Over 7K signers so far
www.change.org/shadowcabinet
(see also snyder.substack.com/p/shadow-cabinet)
Signed and shared :)
I’m here at Providence Hospital in Missoula, Montana, visiting our newborn granddaughter, Sonia. I am mailing get out the vote postcards for Wisconsin on the way to or from the hospital every visit. I consider these small actions vitamins for the future.
You are incredible, and congrats!
How does that work? I can send some postcards!
Hi, and thanks for all the work you do! For those of us who live in New York, is there a script for calling Sen. Schumer himself?
He's my senator too. This is what I said today: "I am disappointed by how you're voting and treating this moment. As my representative, I need to see a louder and smarter fight against authoritarianism. What is happening is not business as usual, so stop acting like it. And, if you can't do that, step aside as minority leader for someone who can."
Same for Senator Gillibrand!
Same script but tell him he should step down and is not meeting the moment.
My question too!
Thank you, Jess! I really appreciate that you have a range of different ways to help. I still haven't gotten comfortable with phonebanking, but calling and talking to staffers - that's easy now.
And I'm going to protests every week - making signs and just ordered a cowbell (not from Amazon)
Amazing! Love this, Trina!
Happy Birthday Jessica!!! You are a powerhouse - we are lucky to have you in our lives!
Thank you for your daily emails. With so much happening at once, they help me to take action based on what is important from your perspective for the day. Phone calls made. Emails sent.
Thank you!
Thank you for all that you are doing. I don't know how you're staying sane through all of this. I really appreciate your call scripts - it makes it so much easier to have something to read off of when I call my representatives.
So welcome!
I saw how sad you were the other day when Schumer did not even try to fight for our party, countrymen, nor our beautiful democratic republic. My heart was broken for you. I was still in my anger stage. This newsletter has come at a good time. I am settled down. I had time to rid my anger by writing to Ken Martin, Jeffries, Senators Murphy, Blumenthal and Jim Hume’s my representative. I did write Schumer telling him to resign.
Your newsletter and its guidance is going to be so helpful. Thank you for doing this. Godspeed.
Thanks, Ally! I'm fine, now. I had my feelings and moved on. (:
Acknowledging and accepting our feelings is important. It’s part of what allows us to move on. And separates us from those who don’t self-reflect at all. We are so much healthier than these folks mentally, although they have no idea (naturally). This is something we should acknowledge and draw on to give us confidence in the fight. We’ve got the richness of empathy, kindness and intelligence that enrich our lives and relationships. What have they got? Anger, victimhood and cruelty. Not a pretty picture.
Awesome work you’re doing for Democracy Jessica!!
Happy Birthday !!
FYI, Center for Common Ground together with Workers Circle have been doing phone banking for the WI Supreme Court election, too.
Thanks!
My senators, Schumer and Gillibrand, are speaking out about Gaza and fighting back on agriculture funding🙄 They could have stopped this entire thing! I have whiplash with them.
Well, at least they're finally doing something.
To me, it looks like they are using Trumps deflection tactic.
Hi, thanks so much for your newsletter. My senators are both Democrats who voted with the Republicans on the CR. Would you consider adding a regular script for those of us lucky enough to be represented by this very special group of 10?
Absolutely. How about:
My name is ____ and I'm a constituent from ______. I'm calling to express my intense anger and disappointment at the Senators' vote in support of the Republicans' CR last week. Because of his/her vote and that of a handful of other cowardly Democrats we have handed Trump and Musk the power traditionally reserved for Congress--to appropriate or not at will. Musk's and Trump's attacks on Social Security, Medicaid, the ACA, and every other program Americans care about will now continue unfettered. We lost the only leverage we had. I will never forget this vote, and I will never forgive it either. Thanks.
Thanks so much -- I love this. I live out of the country, so I usually email rather than call. Will get a version of this sent off asap. (Btw, it's very hard choosing a subject from the dropdown menus they offer when you send an email. What are you writing about? Veterans? Budget? Armed Services? Education? Health Care? Social Security? How about, All Of The Above?!)