Chop Wood, Carry Water 4/12

Keeping an eye on history

Hi, all, and happy Friday!

TGIF indeed! Every week is long in the MAGA era; the weekends, then, feel especially well-earned. I hope you have something nice planned for yours.

Me, I’m hoping to finish reading my Marilynne Robinson novel—a delicious task, indeed—and then start on book one of the Robert Caro LBJ set Mike got me for my birthday. I couldn’t be more excited about finally reading this legendary series; this likely reveals me as the nerd that I am.

Knowing presidential history, though, feels so very important—especially in this moment. It’s critical that we remember what’s set us up for the epoch we’re in now, and that’s literally everything that’s come before. Context matters deeply in how we approach the questions of the day; we can also derive some comfort from recalling how many before us have fought their way through seemingly impenetrable thickets of strife. We Americans, it turns out, have division sewn into the very fabric of our nation. Ripping out those threads is possible, of course, but first we must acknowledge that they’re there—and stitched to last.

Taking action is how we do the former. Reading history is how we do the latter.

On that note, let’s get to our work one more time. For just as we tear out we must also rebuild, and that’s another thing we do here, every day.

P.S. — Can you take a quick poll on the audio version of the newsletter? Just checking in.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m calling in support of the Food Date Labeling Act S.1484. This bill would clear up confusion about “use-by” dates by establishing standards for food packaging. Currently, there is no federal standardization for date labels. This means that consumers, confused by different types of labels, end up discarding edible food. This legislation would NOT impose additional costs on grocery stores or others in the food industry. Will the Senator support it?

[If GOP add:] Also, I am furious at the attacks on reproductive freedom happening across the country. I am a pro-choice voter and I want the Senator to know that I will be doing everything in my power to make sure lawmakers who support anti-abortion and anti-IVF policies are voted out. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

First, I’m calling in support of the Food Date Labeling Act HR 3159.
This bill would clear up confusion about “use-by” dates by establishing standards for food packaging. Currently, there is no federal standardization for date labels. This means that consumers, confused by different types of labels, end up discarding edible food. This legislation would NOT impose additional costs on grocery stores or others in the food industry. Will the Congressmember support it?

Also, will the Congressmember do everything in his/her power to get Ukraine aid passed? I’m horrified that we’re abandoning our allies at their hour of need. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

[This action courtesy of Pesticide Action Network]

Let’s email EPA Administrator Michael Regan at regan.michael@epa.gov and ask him to reverse his recent decision and ban the awful pesticide Paraquat. You can say something like this, (but please personalize):

I urge the EPA to immediately ban the use of paraquat. Use of this deadly chemical has risen to levels not seen in more than 25 years despite increasing concerns surrounding continued acute poisonings and the very real potential for long-term negative health effects due to persistent low-dose exposure.

Paraquat is a deadly herbicide that has been banned in 67 countries worldwide including China, the European Union and the United Kingdom. Considering the risks to health and safety this product presents and the fact that there are plenty of viable alternatives to paraquat that do not affect agricultural productivity, it’s time to get this chemical out of U.S. agriculture as well.

This is the most toxic pesticide still used in U.S. agriculture. As little as a sip of paraquat can be lethal to a full-grown adult, and there is no known antidote. Many studies have shown that exposure to paraquat can greatly increase—possibly more than double—a person's chance of developing Parkinson's disease and there are links to respiratory damage and kidney disease.

Despite this strong evidence of human health harms, your recent assessment recommends that U.S. use of paraquat continue. This is completely unacceptable.

Please take immediate action to remove this dangerous herbicide from the U.S. market. Thanks.

Get Smart! 📚

The Congressional Progressive Caucus Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to demystify Congress so every community is empowered to fight for change that allows all of us to thrive. Their Unrig the Rules program is a core facet of that work. Through their email updates and webpage, they break down news from Capitol Hill in layperson’s terms. They’ve analyzed new funding bills, forecasted looming fights, walked through major proposals, laid out Congressional timelines, and much more. I love their updates and regularly use them to inform my content.

You can check out previous Unrig the Rules updates and sign up for future emails here. 

Spread the Word! 📣

I found a great anti-RFK ad. Please share it everywhere!

Give 💰!

(I’m co-hosting the below!)

The Civics Center presents: All In for 18-Year-Olds with Special Guest Simon Rosenberg

Please join The Civics Center on Thursday April 18 at 6PM ET to hear from Laura W. Brill, Founder and CEO, in conversation with political strategist and commentator Simon Rosenberg. The Civics Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides free training and resources to help make voter registration part of every high school in America. They’re working to register the youngest voters at their high schools before Election Day. With registration deadlines just a few months away, the 2024 high school graduation season is a critical time to ensure 18-year-olds are registered and ready to vote. 

Registration increases the likelihood of youth turnout: 86% of registered youth turned out in 2020.

Register for All in for 18-Year-Olds: Laura Brill and Simon Rosenberg

Win Races! 🗳

Kamala Harris is hosting a rally in Arizona today at 1PM PT / 4PM ET and we can attend on Zoom! She’s going to be talking about the Republicans’ assault on reproductive rights and how we can fight back. It’s right after the Heather Cox Richardson event, so technically you can do both!

RSVP here.

P.S. — Speaking of the Heather Cox Richardson event, it’s oversubscribed, so if you get locked out they will livestream at volunteerblue.org/livestream/

What I’m Reading 📖

I love More Perfect Union’s new Substack. This was yesterday’s edition—it’s got so much great stuff in it! It’s good one to subscribe to if labor unions and workers’ rights are important to you—although they cover other topics as well.

Hawaii Moves to Ban Short-Term Rentals to Address Housing Crisis

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

[To: all three reps] [H/T PIRG] [Text SIGN PSOUJH to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]

"Nurdles," or the small plastic pellets used to make plastic products, are ending up in our waterways by the trillions every year. Companies often face no penalty for dumping nurdles into our water.

Animals unintentionally eat these plastic pieces and when we eat those animals, that plastic enters our systems too. No one should have to worry that their food or water is contaminated with plastic.

I urge you to support S. 2337 / HR 7634 The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act and prohibit the discharge of nurdles into our waters.

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

Talk soon.

Jess