Chop Wood, Carry Water 3/27
Hi, all.
Another mass shooting. More children murdered at school. I can’t say “happy Monday” under the circumstances. I can only cry—again—at the young lives senselessly mown down. Then I can wipe my eyes, take a breath, and get back to work. I hope you’ll join me.
Why? Because, as they say in recovery circles, “the only way out is through.” We will solve nothing by staying in bed and pulling up the covers. We can solve anything if we don’t quit and continue to do the work. It hurts; it takes too much time; it seems we’re making excruciatingly slow progress. But we are making progress and we must keep going.
It is darkest before the dawn, indeed. And it is very, very dark right now.
But I am lucky, I suppose; I know from personal experience how long periods of failure and defeat can and do lead to great transformation. I know hopelessness well, and I know that it can feel like truth when, in fact, it’s anything but. “It will never be anything but this” is a lie our heads tell us in order to get us to give up. Heck—it’s a lie others tell us as well.
It can feel very convincing. But it’s false. And we don’t have to listen.
I want to quote from something a reader, Cathleen D., wrote in the comments a few days ago. We were talking about how slowly change happens and she said:
Reminds me of the cathedral builders in Europe. Most of those structures took more than a 100 yrs to complete, (i.e. Notre Dame began in 1163, completed in 1345) and, yet, those stone masons and others did not let that deter them from the vision of the completed building. Think, if you have ever been inside any of those buildings, of how awed you are at the size, complexity, and sheer beauty of them. I bet none of those workers thought we would still be staring at the beauty of their work 700 years later. And, yet, we do not know who any of them were. I hope our continuing to build democracy, only 250 years old at this time, results in thousands of people looking back in amazement and gratitude, in the centuries to come, for all the hard work and steps we are taking now to preserve it.
You could say the same about our work to end gun violence, to address climate change, to stop bigotry and hate, or anything else. It’s slow going; it requires infinite patience and persistence, and it will take many, many hands to get it done.
We may not get to see the finished cathedral. But we must. Keep. Building. And we will.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling as news about ANOTHER school shooting—this one in Tennessee—continues to unfold. At least 5 people are dead, three of them children. I am heartbroken, and I’m angry.
I want the Senator to co-sponsor S. 14—the Age 21 Act, S. 173—Ethan’s Law, and S. 25—the Assault Weapons ban Act of 2023 right now. And I want an answer in writing as to whether or not they will. I am sickened by the lack of movement on these common sense gun bills. Americans are dying—children are being gunned down at school— and our government is failing us. Do better. [H/T and more info]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m calling as news about ANOTHER school shooting—this one in Tennessee—continues to unfold. At least 5 people are dead, three of them children.
Rep. Frost has introduced legislation to establish an Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The bill is H.R.1699 and the bill is called the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act. I expect the Congressmember to co-sponsor it today—they can do so by contacting Jen Curt in Congressman Frost’s office.
I also want the Congressmember to co-sponsor H.R.660, Ethan’s Law, and HR 698, the Assault Weapons ban Act of 2023. I am sickened by the lack of movement on these common sense gun bills. Americans are dying—children are being gunned down at school— and our government is failing us. Do better. Thanks. [H/T and more info]
Extra Credit ✅
LAST CHANCE TO OPPOSE THE RETURN OF TRUMP-ERA POLICIES AT THE BORDER [H/T Rogan’s List]
The comment period for the proposed Biden asylum limits closes TODAY. Their new rule would make it much harder for migrants crossing the border to get asylum if they do not request it in Mexico first, in a clear echo of the Trump-era policies President Biden condemned as a candidate.
Let’s take this last opportunity to submit comments to the Federal Register in opposition to this policy, using some of the talking points available from immigration advocates here.
Get Smart! 📚
Posting this again, as it’s going to be great:
Tues, March 28th, 1pm ET – Simon Rosenberg’s Monthly Political Briefing and Discussion w/Special Guest WI Dem Chair Ben Wikler.
From Simon:
Really excited that Ben Wikler, the dynamic Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, will be joining our monthly political discussion to provide an update on the all-important April 4th Supreme Court election there. I’ll kick it off with some opening remarks and Ben joins us at 130pm ET.
Spread the Word! 📣
Extreme MAGA Congressional Republicans Propose Handouts to Rich and Tax Hikes for Working Families:
Congressional Republicans’s agenda could add over $3 trillion to the debt with tax cuts and other giveaways skewed to the wealthy and large corporations. And now, MAGA Republicans are proposing massive cuts to programs middle-class and working families, seniors, and students rely on while declining to put forward a budget, which would show how much of these cuts are going to pay for their tax cuts, rather than reduce the debt. Read more from the White House.
Give 💰!
Earth Justice just announced they are suing to stop the Willow Project. Whoo-hoo! I don’t have a lot to give, but I signed up to be a monthly donor at a low level. This is SO important. If you have any extra money to give them please send it their way.
Win Races—write! ✏️
Today is the last day to write Vote Forward letters into Wisconsin. They ALL get mailed tomorrow. I just printed up 5—surely we can all write five letters? Sign up here.
Win Races—text! 💻
There’s more texting with All On The Line TODAY, Monday, Mar 20th, 6:00pm-8:00pm CT
All On The Line is a pro-democracy organization on a mission to end gerrymandering. The people of Wisconsin deserve accountable, responsive elected leaders. This text bank reminds voters to get to the polls. All the responses are pre-written and you’re partnering with All On The Line volunteers. They provide the numbers, the platform and all the inspiration you’ll need.
[H/T The Union]
Win Races—Call! 📲
I’ll be calling into Wisconsin with WisDems today. 2-4PM PT. Join me! THE ELECTION IS HAPPENING NOOOOOOW!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[to all 3 reps plus Pres. Biden] [H/T Alan Unell’s Healthcare Advocacy Newsletter] [Quick send text SIGN POASSZ to 50409]
Life expectancy in the US is continuing to decline - we are at 76 years. Our peer industrialized countries, who by the way, all have universal health care, have life expectancies that are again increasing after COVID-19 and are at about 82 years. Maternal mortality is rising and so is infant and adolescent mortality.
One of the main contributors is the lack of a coordinated Universal Healthcare System. YOU CAN FIX THAT.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA) will be reintroducing her Universal Health care Bill in Mid May. I want you to actively support/co-sponsor and get it done.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
So sad that nothing has changed since Sandy Hook. I just don't have the words. But I can take some of the actions you posted today, and keep working on saving democracy.
Oh Jessica, I hadn't heard yet. I'm grateful that I learned of this horror in the context of your newsletter - and your essential message of "moving through" whatever is happening. I think of each of these dear children as martyrs to the cause of this democracy we are working to "Keep. Building." And we will not let them have died in vain. Thanks again for all you do. Sharing...