Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.
– Epictetus
Hi, all, and happy Wednesday!
I have a meeting in five minutes, so have to make this a short intro today. Suffice it to say that:
I am incredibly proud of your hard work.
I am incredibly grateful to be doing that work with you.
I am incredibly faithful that that hard work will save our country.
So let’s do a bit more.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I want the Senator to support the swift confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. She’s terrifically qualified and will be an amazing addition to the court.
[If GOP add:] I want to add, I am disgusted by the racist and demeaning attacks on her by Republican members of the Judiciary committee. Please urge them to knock it off right away.
Second, I am calling to ask the Senator to support two antitrust bills, the Open App Markets Act (S 2710) and the American Innovation and Choice Online Act S.2992 it’s time to stop dominant tech companies from abusing their gatekeeper status. Thanks. [H/T and more info]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I know the Congrressmember is likely getting calls demanding that we increase domestic drilling to offset high gas prices. I feel that’s not an acceptable option. Our dependence on fossil fuel empowers authoritarians like Vladimir Putin and endangers our future. For the sake of our national security and our planet, we have to invest in domestic clean energy jobs and end our dependence on fossil fuel now.
Second, I want the Congressmember to support two antitrust bills, the Open App Markets Act (HR 5017) and the American Innovation and Choice Online Act HR 3816 it’s time to stop dominant tech companies from abusing their gatekeeper status. Thanks. [H/T and more info]
Extra Credit ✅
Two more Russia-enabling companies to write to, friends!
✍🏼 First, Nestle is refusing to entirely pull out of Russia, saying it needs to keep selling foodstuffs there for “humanitarian reasons.” Since a lack of Nestle products is in no way equivalent to the real humanitarian disaster currently being experienced by Ukrainians, I thought a letter was in order. You can send a quick one by clicking here (or write yourself: Lisa.Gibby@nestle.com and joshua.morton@us.nestle.com).
✍🏼 Renault, after shutting down production in Russia, has decided to go back! Click here to demand they rethink that idea. (Or write to jan.ptacek@renault.com, jan.loiseau@gmail.com, Lyudmila.bibina@gmail.com, Nicolas.maure@renault.com)
Win Pennsylvania!
Y’all, Postcards to Swing States needs your help to write 550,000 postcards to rally Democrats to vote in the Pennsylvania primary on May 17. Encouraging Democrats to make voting a habit now will ensure more of them will also vote in November.
Sign up now and they'll mail you free postcards, along with instructions and voter lists. Volunteers need to provide the postcard stamps. You'll pick from three messages that we're testing as the first step of signing up. You'll have until May 6 to finish writing the postcards.
Win Races! 🗳
NextGen America is having a Day of Action today, March 23, 1-5pm PT/4-8pm ET. It’s to call 5,000 young voters in NC to help them register to vote or check/update their registration! THIS IS SO IMPORTANT! And it’ll be easy. Yes, they will train you. Can any of you go? Sign up HERE!
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.)
[to President Biden] [H/T and background] [Quick send: text SIGN PUDOPU to 50409]
Americans are united in supporting Ukraine’s fight against Putin’s invasion, and I applaud your bold action in getting our allies to join the US in releasing 60 million barrels from strategic petroleum reserves. Unfortunately, in spite of your direct appeals to oil company executives to help the world curb Putin’s aggression, oil prices at the pump continue to rise.
It’s time to use your authority under the Defense Production Act to issue executive orders to address this crisis:
Use the DPA to “combat and prohibit hoarding and price gouging with respect to those [oil and gas] resources” as the Trump administration did regarding PPE during the pandemic, and
Use the DPA to increase production of renewable energy, convert all federal vehicles to electric power, and steer the nation's economy away from dependence on fossil fuels.
We also ask you to make additional releases from the strategic oil reserve to counter shortage-caused price spikes as needed. That's the main purpose of the strategic reserve; now is the time to use it. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess
“Nestle is refusing to entirely pull out of Russia, saying it needs to keep selling foodstuffs there for “humanitarian reasons.” “
Personally, I am amazed that anyone at Nestle has even heard the word humanitarian, much less be able to spell it. I have done my best not to buy any Nestle products for more than 50 years - since the news came out about their baby formula practices in third world countries. Nestle sources their chocolate from child slaves. Nestle wants to bottle all the potable water in the world under their label. It is no surprise to me that Nestle thinks ignoring the sanctions against Russia is congruent with their corporate values.