Chop Wood, Carry Water 3/29

Take faithful actions.

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear — not absence of fear.

—Mark Twain

Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!

Oof. Tired today. We are attempting to foster yet another dog, in the seemingly eternal search for one who won’t try to kill our cat. It’s exciting and occasionally fun but also very fatiguing. So pardon any typos.

Yesterday, as you know, I did an Activism 101 for a group on the east coast. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it. There is something not just galvanizing but downright soothing in speaking with so many other Americans who are not just deeply worried about, but determined to save our country. It’s just what the doctor ordered, every time.

So I’m tired but, due to them—and all of you—not discouraged. Our challenges are many, but our numbers are vast, and our mission winnable.

Again. This fight is winnable. Let the pundits say what they will. Their job is to sell fear.

It’s our job to act with faith.

Remember, there is no reason for evil to prevail unless we allow it to. And we only allow it to if we succumb to the abovementioned fear.

So let’s take courageous actions together, one more time.

Call Your Senators (find yours here)

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

First, I understand that the Honoring Our PACT Act, which passed in the House a couple of weeks ago, is coming to the Senate for a vote soon. I strongly support providing our veterans with the healthcare they need, regardless of the cost. Please tell the Senator I want them to vote yes on this bill. Thanks.

Also I want the Senator to support S. 3802, the Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here)

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

I’m calling to ask the Congressmember to co-sponsor H.R.7061 - the Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act. Americans are fed up that Big Oil and Gas are making huge profits while we suffer from insane gas prices.

I also want the Congressmember to co-sponsor H.R. 675, the COVID-19 Price Gouging Prevention Act. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

It’s (past) time to really push President Biden to declare a climate emergency. One way to do that is to write a letter to the editor.

Use this great tool to do just that!

I also called him at 202-456-1111. The WH switchboard will close for the day soon, so if you miss them today set a reminder in your phone to call tomorrow between 11-3 EDT.

I literally just said:

I am very worried about climate change. I’m asking the President to declare a national climate emergency and mobilize our nation’s resources on a massive scale to transition to clean renewable energy and create millions of good paying green jobs. Thanks!

Bonus points: tweet the below (add a climate-related giphy; twitter has tons for you to choose from) or RT mine:

.@POTUS I’m calling on you to use your authority to declare a national climate emergency to transition to clean renewable energy and create millions of good paying jobs. #LetsGoJoe CC: @RonaldKlain

Get Smart! 📚

On Tuesday, April 5th, at 12:00pm ET, Big Tent USA will be hosting a couple of great speakers: Devon Murphy-Anderson and Alex Berrios, Founders of Mi Vecino, the fastest-growing, year-round voting rights organization in Florida. This is a phenomenal org that’s building power within FL neighborhoods by creating opportunities and improving representation of the Hispanic community. I HIGHLY recommend checking this talk out if you can.

Register here.

Make Good Art 🎨!

Do you know a talented young artist between the age of 9 and 22?

Through their art, they can convince young Americans waiting on the sidelines that democracy is not a spectator sport! Art the Vote wants young folks to submit art that makes their best creative case for the importance of registering to vote and for voting in every election: local, state and federal. Some entires will be chosen and used in national campaigns! So cool! More info and submission page here.

Win Races! 🗳

Ack! Wisconsin has an April 5th Spring election! Yes, you read that right. There’s an election in a week for important judicial and local races, including the Appeals Court and Circuit Courts, plus the mayoral race in Milwaukee. We’ve GOT to turn folks out for this—when the GOP wins judicial seats bad things happen.

Fortunately Activate America is on it. We can sign up to phone bank with them HERE and to text HERE. You’ll only be reaching out to Dems, so it’ll be friendly and easy. And Activate America lets you leave voicemails—it’s fun and relaxing!

And of course, if you want to adopt Wisconsin as your state to flip in November, sign up for my Adopt Wisconsin newsletter (which comes out at most once a week) here. 🧀

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

[to all 3 reps] [H/T] [quick send: text SIGN PYEJUI to 50409]

I know that Sen. Bernie Sanders just introduced legislation in the Senate that would impose a 95 percent windfall tax on the excess profits of major companies. A temporary emergency measure, Sanders’ Ending Corporate Greed Act could raise an estimated $400 billion in one year from 30 of the largest corporations alone and would apply only in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) is cosponsoring the legislation in the Senate, and Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) will introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

I want you to co-sponsor this bill immediately, please. I am furious that big corporations are making so much money while average Americans are being hit with sky-high prices on consumer goods. It’s unacceptable; it has to stop. Thanks.

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

Talk tomorrow.

Jess