Chop Wood, Carry Water 4/4

“If you think a thing is impossible, you'll only make it impossible.”

Bruce Lee

Hi, all, and happy Monday!

I got my (second) booster shot on Friday evening, so I spent a good part of the weekend in bed. It felt nice to have a break, but it’s set me way behind this morning.

That’s another way of saying: Sorry the newsletter is late, and apologies for the quick, non-inspiring opening.

Let inspiration come from your actions. It always does, anyway.

Call Your Senators (find yours here)

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

First, I’m calling to say I am thrilled the MORE Act passed in the House. I want the Senator to vote yes on it when it comes to the Senate floor. I STRONGLY support all of its provisions, including the marijuana tax to fund grant programs.

I know the House also just passed the Affordable Insulin Now Act, capping insulin prices at a maximum of $35 a month. Once again, I want the Senator to support it.

Finally, I support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and want her to be confirmed right away. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here)

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

First, I want Congress to approve emergency supplemental COVID funding now. I’m really worried we will be caught unprepared for the next wave.

Second, I’d like the Congressmember to cosponsor and actively support H.R. 1470, the Ending Qualified Immunity Act, which would remove the protective shield from all state and local government employees who abuse their position of power to harm others. I know this bill just had a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. I want the Congressmember to publicly advocate for its passage. Thanks. [H/T]

Extra Credit ✅

Worried about climate change? Want to do more to help?

I recently discovered the Climate Action Now app and I LOVE it. It gives you easy ways to help—and so far every action they’ve given me has been something I would absolutely put in this newsletter.

You can set the app to remind you every day to do an action—it never takes more than a minute or so.

So download it here. Then do one little thing it asks you to do every day. Perfect!

Get Smart! 📚

Speaking of climate, Markers For Democracy is holding another great speaker event—with Bill McKibben!— tonight at 7:30 PM EDT.

Bill McKibben has been a leading voice of the movement to address climate change for several decades, and is the author of multiple books. He is a co-founder of 350.org, an international climate campaign that works in 188 countries around the world.

McKibben also recently founded Third Act, an organization to engage "Experienced Americans—" the 10,000 people who pass the 60-year mark each day— and organize them for progressive change. 

If you haven't read his op-ed in the New York Times, in which he talks about the importance of engagement and activism by the 60 and older crowd, it's worth a read.

Then register for this event here.

Write Letters to Protect the Vote! 💌

Primary elections are underway, midterms are fast approaching, and states are passing new and stricter voter ID laws at a historic pace.

Voter Riders—an amazing voting rights org—needs help to ensure that every voter has the ID they need to cast a ballot that counts in 2022, so they're organizing a Voter ID Month of Action. They’ll be holding three letter-writing events— on Wednesday April 6th, 7-8 EDT, Thursday April 14th, 7-8 EDT, and Thursday April 21st, 7-8 EDT.

Their goal is to write 10,000 letters to voters in five states: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Every letter sent delivers essential information and assistance to the voters most likely to be disenfranchised by voter ID laws.

At each event, they will be joined by special guests to keep everyone motivated. Plus: You can win some cool swag donated by their partners at Crooked Media!

RSVP now!

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

[to your DEMOCRATIC reps ONLY] [H/T] [No code for this one—I don’t want it going to GOP members. Simply copy and paste the text and send it manually through Resistbot]

I’m writing to say that, although the mainstream media and Congress seem to have blown right past the fact that a Supreme Court justice’s wife was part of a plot to overthrow the government, I have not. Clarence Thomas should no longer be a Supreme Court justice. He should resign, or be impeached. But since I know that right now neither of those options are likely, I want to encourage Democrats to do the following:

You should subpoena Ginni Thomas’s testimony before the January 6 committee and/or the Judiciary and oversight committees. If she refuses to appear or to answer questions, they could hold her in criminal contempt of Congress.

Assuming she does answer questions, you should ask her under oath whether she discussed her desire or efforts to overturn the election with her husband.

You should subpoena records pertinent to previous cases where it appears Clarence Thomas worked as his wife's agent on the Supreme Court.

You can, and should censure Thomas. 

You should remind voters EVERY DAY that because they are parties to corruption, Republicans will make sure Thomas isn’t removed from office.

There is no way this insanity can go unaddressed. Democrats need to do what the GOP would in this situation, talk about it at every turn and never let voters forget for a second that Clarence Thomas is corrupt just like his wife. This is a stain on SCOTUS and on our democracy. Do something! Thanks.

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

Talk tomorrow.

Jess