Chop Wood, Carry Water 4/17
No moral relativism here.
Hi, all, and happy Wednesday!
I just got off a CAP Action call about Idaho v. United States, the Supreme Court case coming up next week that deals with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTLA). It’s a huge one; if you don’t know the details I’d highly recommend getting familiar with them.
Essentially the Supreme Court will be deciding whether or not pregnant people in need of abortions during medical emergencies can receive those abortions in states with full abortion bans. Right now in Idaho they can’t, unless they’re about to die—any other patients have to be medivaced out of the state to receive stabilizing care. Some of the “grave long-term consequences” of this policy, according to amicus briefs submitted by medical professionals, are:
Severe sepsis requiring limb amputation, uncontrollable uterine hemorrhage requiring hysterectomy, kidney failure requiring lifelong dialysis, hypoxic brain injury, and permanent fertility issues.
It’s pure savagery.
On April 24th we’ll begin to get a sense of whether or not SCOTUS will make that situation permanent—if, in other words, they will allow state laws to preempt federal statutes like EMTLA. If they do it will affect not just Idaho but about ten other states as well. Every state with a draconian abortion ban, in fact, will likely start denying needed emergency care to pregnant people who need abortions in order to be stabilized. Think about that.
Meanwhile, in Arizona it sounds like Republicans have once again blocked a repeal of the 1864 abortion ban. At the very least a motion by Arizona Democrats that would have helped them force a vote on repealing it just failed. Will Democrats try again? Possibly. But the writing is on the wall: the Republican party has chosen to die on the hill of extreme abortion bans. Unfortunately some women will likely die on it as well before we are able to fix it.
It’s painful. It’s enraging. It’s frightening. But let’s let our rage fuel us, our sorrow make us more compassionate, and our hatred of their policies become support and generosity towards everyone fighting to stop them.
In this way we’ll stay sane, grow more empowered, and, most importantly, win.
There are times when moral relativism is inappropriate and facile. This is one of them. Republicans are wrong. They are practicing brutality and harm. To defeat them will be a noble thing—a thing that is good.
Enjoy being on the right side of history. Now let’s get to work.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling to ask the Senator to co-sponsor S. 3819, the Shrinkflation Prevention Act of 2024. The act would direct the FTC to create regulations to establish shrinkflation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice. It would also prohibit manufacturers from engaging in shrinkflation and authorize the FTC and state attorneys general to bring civil actions against corporations that engage in it. It’s a no-brainer. Thanks!
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m calling the Congressmember to ask him/her to fight to pass Ukraine funding right away. Some things are more important than partisanship, political ambitions, or petty vendettas. Making sure we keep democracy alive and Putin in check is such a thing. Not to mention this funding will create jobs here in the U.S. It’s a no-brainer! Thank you.
[If GOP add:] And ask the Congressmember not to support a motion to vacate Speaker Johnson until this funding is passed, please. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Let’s call Speaker Johnson again. He needs encouragement. 318-840-0309 or 318-951-4316 or 337-423-4232 or 202-225-2777.
We can say simply:
I’m calling Congressmember Johnson in his capacity as Speaker to beg him to bring Ukraine funding to the floor. Some things are more important than partisanship, political ambitions, or even keeping the Speakership. Making sure we keep democracy alive and Putin in check is such a thing. History is watching. Do the right thing. Bring the funding for a vote. Thank you.
Get Smart! 📚
On Thursday, April 18 from 7 – 8pm EDT there’s an event happening that’ll be super helpful whether you live in North Carolina or elsewhere:
NC All Aboard: The Training Series - Telling your story and Joe’s and Kamala's.
It’s the first of a three-part training series, hosted by NC Victory, on messaging and having effective conversations on the phones, at the doors, and with friends and family about the upcoming election.
The first session will focus on sharing our own story paired with the story of Joe and Kamala. Stories are the most effective way to share our values and share why this election matters
Please RSVP to receive Zoom details.
Here are the other upcoming sessions in this three part series: Talking about the Biden-Harris administration and Having persuasive conversations.
Spread the Word! 📣
I know Robert Hubbell amplified Jennifer Rubin’s piece about polling from yesterday, but I want to post it here again for those of you who may have missed it. It absolutely encapsulates why I pay no attention to polls, virtually ever, but especially not this early on. I urge you to not just read it but share it widely on your social media. The link I’ve provided is a gift link.
Why does this matter so much, you ask? Because misleading polls can depress turnout, dissuade donors from giving to winnable races, and destroy morale. I’ve believed for a while now the GOP is weaponizing polls, and we can’t fight back if we don’t understand that.
Give 💰!
Blue Tent, a great website that helps left-leaning donors give strategically, has spent the past year identifying effective groups engaging voters in key battleground districts as part of their People's House project. By supporting their work, donors can help flip the House this fall — and also build a more representative democracy.
They’re holding a webinar next week to tell donors more about the People's House strategy and introduce three of their recommended groups. It’s on Wednesday, April 24 at 10am PT / 1 pm ET.
Speakers will be:
Andrew Grossman — Battleground New York
Kiersten Iwai — Forward Montana
Pablo Rodriguez — Communities for a New California
Should be great! Register here.
Win Races 🗳
Join Vote Forward, co-host Stand Up America, special guest Congressman Pat Ryan, and volunteers across the country to write letters to voters in California and New York TONIGHT Wednesday, April 17, from 8 – 9pm EDT! They'll also have a special message from Bravo host and producer Andy Cohen.
These letters are part of The Big Send Campaign- our collective effort to write 10 million letters to voters this year. Volunteers are writing letters and sending them between October 1 and October 29th, to ensure they arrive when they’ll have the most impact on turnout.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PVRRYY to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
I’m writing to ask you, as my representative in Congress, to push to pass The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act (S. 3565 / H.R. 6929) right away.
Congress has just days left to ensure proper funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) or else more than 22 million low-income people are at risk of losing their internet access. This is unacceptable! We live in an increasingly digital world where broadband internet access has become a necessity for everyday life.
Black and Hispanic households are disproportionately impacted by lack of broadband access, and 18% of Native people living on Tribal land have no access to the internet at all without this program. The ACP has made significant improvements, reaching one in four African American and Latino households and enrolling 320,000 households on Tribal lands. This is huge.
If Congress doesn’t act fast and approve additional funding for the ACP, we will end up leaving entire communities behind. We cannot allow that to happen. Time is running out and everyday Americans are counting on you.
Please pass The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act now. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Wait until it is one their daughters or granddaughters the medical care they desperately need will be gone with the wind. They moved mountains of precedent to over rule a woman's right. They can speak in tongues and find ways to turn back the clocks but for now we still live in a democracy. Get out the vote and vote blue up and down the ballot to rid ourselves of this minority who only want to rule instead of governing.
I called both my rep and Speaker Johnson and will continue to do so tomorrow.