Chop Wood, Carry Water 3/2

Pull a thread.

“If your little corner of work involves pulling at one of the threads, you’re helping to unravel the whole damn cloth.”

Ursula Wolfe-Rocca

Hi, all, and happy Wednesday!

Of course, in many ways it isn’t happy. Right? What a world. There is much reason for discouragement.

But. But but but. Will anger or depression make my efforts more successful? I think not. So, despite the world’s many problems, despite horrific attacks in Ukraine, despite the IPCC report, despite an opposition party that grows uglier and more feral by the day, despite my own fear, my own fatigue, despite it all…I try to approach this work with good cheer.

I hope you will, too. I think it makes our work easier. And more effective.

Remember, 90% of the battle is just getting folks to show up. Discouragement works against that. Hopefulness, steadfastness, emphasizing the positive—no matter how small it is—has a salutary and motivational effect that can’t be overstated.

And—more importantly— if we show up we WIN.

Then we will be happy indeed.

Speaking of which—I wanted to thank all of you who amplified my tweet—or posted personally—about Exxon’s continued presence in Russia. Not sure how much our public shaming contributed, but they pulled out yesterday evening! Woot!

Our actions matter. They work. They’re changing the course of history.

Never forget it.

Call Your Senators (find yours here)

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

First, I’m frustrated and angry that Senate Republicans are blocking confirmation votes on strong nominees for the Fed, the FCC, and the FTC. It’s unacceptable.

[If GOP add:] Republicans need to show up to their committee hearings and allow Biden’s nominees a vote. Creating logjams to stop qualified candidates from being confirmed is unacceptable. If the Senator doesn’t want to help the government run smoothly then s/he should look for another job. I want ALL of President Biden’s nominees, including Sarah Bloom Raskin for the Fed, confirmed. Thanks.

[If Dem add:] The Republicans’ current tactic of creating logjams to stop qualified candidates from receiving confirmation is unacceptable. I want the Senator to call it out loudly and also demand Majority Leader Schumer fix the Senate rules so this tactic no longer works. Thanks. I want ALL of President Biden’s nominees, including Sarah Bloom Raskin for the Fed, confirmed. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here)

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

I support providing American military and humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people through normal State Department, international, and NGO channels. But I oppose any active military engagement by U.S. combat forces. And I strongly oppose using the Ukraine crisis to justify greater increases in the already bloated Pentagon budget. Our defense spending is larger than the next 11 nations combined – that's far more than enough.

Finally, since oil and gas exports make up a significant percentage of the Russian economy—and since the IPCC confirmed once again this week that we’re in a climate emergency—I want the Congressmember to aggressively promote environmental and economic policies that reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Thanks. [H/T]

Extra Credit ✅

The Senate GOP has figured out a way to stall—perhaps permanently—the confirmations of many of President Biden’s nominees to the Fed, the FTC, the FCC and more. It’s a huge problem, but Senator Schumer can overcome it by fixing the Senate rules. Please read this letter for background, then call Senator Schumer at (212) 486-4430 or (518) 431-4070 or (202) 224-6542 and say

I’m calling Senator Schumer in his capacity as Senate Majority Leader to ask him to fix the Senate rules so Republicans can no longer block nominees by refusing to attend committee votes. It’s bad enough they're doing it with Fed nominees—now they're talking about using the same tactic for the FTC, FCC, and other nominations. It’s unacceptable. Gumming up the works is not governing—the Republicans can’t be allowed to do it. Fight back and fix the rules now. Thanks.

Get Smart! 📚

We’ve all heard that early money is strategic and effective — but it’s especially so for state-level races. Know why?

You’re about to find out.

Join The States Project as they discuss their work to staff up caucuses and campaigns, recruit great candidates, and seed key districts with targeted deep canvassing. Plus, hear why it’s important to start raising ahead of candidate endorsements and how Giving Circles can time their work to be maximally effective. 

Whether or not you’ve ever heard a States Project presentation, this one is going to be worth hearing.

March 9th, 8:00-8:30PM EST. Register here.

Win Races! 🗳

Activate America is expanding their postcarding efforts! Their new campaign asks Democratic voters to sign up for the vote-by-mail lists in two critical battleground states: Wisconsin and Arizona.

They need a lot more volunteers. You can sign up for their postcarding campaigns HERE (you have to supply the postcards).

AA also runs EASY Monday, Wednesday, Thursday phone banks with the same goal. Sign up HERE.

This is so important!

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

[to all 3 reps] [H/T] [Quick send text SIGN PQXVND to 50409]

It is astonishing that Afghan allies brought under temporary humanitarian parole currently lack a clear, viable pathway to lawful permanent residency in the U.S. This is unacceptable, especially considering the 20-year military and diplomatic involvement in the country and the current human rights and governance situation in Afghanistan. 

As your constituent, I urge you to support the soon-to-be-introduced Afghan Adjustment Act to adjust the status of Afghan parolees. We need to provide access to adjustment for Afghan evacuees just as Congress has done for every other generation of wartime evacuees following U.S. military engagement in Cuba, Vietnam, and Iraq. Adjusting the status of Afghan allies will allow evacuees to apply for a viable pathway for lawful permanent residency, receive additional vetting, and ensure that America stays true to its promises. 

Our Afghan allies put their faith in the United States when they worked alongside us in Afghanistan, we must honor that faith.  Thanks.

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

Talk tomorrow.

Jess