Chop Wood, Carry Water 4/5
A decent weather day.
Hi, all, and happy Friday!
Good grief. So. Much. News! And an earthquake on the East coast, to boot! Hope those of you who live there aren’t feeling too shaken up (I swear I didn’t mean that as a pun). As a Southern Californian I know all too well how destabilizing and scary even the smallest temblor can feel. And 4.8 isn’t so small!
As for the rest of the news, well, it’s the usual firehose, so I’ll just say this: overall it’s more positive than not this morning. President Biden is finally getting tougher on Netanyahu, the new jobs report dropped and it’s spectacular, the FCC announced it’s going to vote to restore Net Neutrality, Mike Johnson is at least making the right noises on Ukraine aid, a couple of Stop the Steal lawyers are likely facing disbarment, and Trump is facing a bit of pushback from the justices handling his court cases.
There’s plenty of not-so-good news, too, but I feel like focussing on what’s right today—why not? It’s more fun, more energizing, and therefore more likely to lead to more good results!
Remember our simple formula: we take action regardless of the political “weather.” When it’s cloudy we don’t dwell on it—we just keep going.
But when the weather’s nice it’s OK to stick our heads out for a moment and say “What a pretty day.”
Then, of course, we go back to work. Because that, my friends, is how we win, rain or shine.
P.S. — I couldn’t be more pleased with the response to my recording of the newsletter yesterday! I can’t believe I didn’t start doing it sooner! I have no way to measure how many people listen going forward, but even if only the people I heard from yesterday do it’ll be more than worth it.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I want Congress to end the civil rights violations enabled by flaws in Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Section 702 is due to expire on April 19 unless it’s reauthorized. I’m asking the Senator to support the bipartisan Government Surveillance Reform Act (S. 3234) and oppose the FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act (S. 3351), which would expand our government’s ability to spy on Americans. [H/T Americans of Conscience]
Also, I want the Senate to quickly take up and pass the Tax Relief for Americans Act, and reject any amendments that could weaken or limit the impact of the Child Tax Credit. Hungry kids need help. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I want Congress to end the civil rights violations enabled by flaws in Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Section 702 is due to expire on April 19 unless it’s reauthorized. I’m asking the Congressmember to support the bipartisan Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act (H.R. 6570), and oppose both the FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 6611) and the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (H.R. 7320), which would expand the government’s ability to spy on Americans. [H/T Americans of Conscience]
Also, we need Ukraine aid and we need it now. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Let’s email Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at agsec@usda.gov and say:
Dear Secretary Vilsack,
[Start by saying something personal about yourself and how you feel about the climate crisis].I am writing to ask that you support the Food Date Labeling Act (H.R. 3159 and S. 1484).
This bill would clear up confusion about “best-used-by” and other labels by establishing requirements for quality and discard dates in food packaging. Currently, there is no federal regulation for date labels. This means that consumers, confused by different types of labels, end up discarding edible food.
Food waste results in households wasting money and exacerbates climate change. Food waste is responsible for about 6% of total US GHG emissions. The nonprofit ReFED found that reducing food waste could generate $73 billion in financial benefit, recover the equivalent of 4 billion meals for food insecure individuals, save 4 trillion gallons of water, and avoid 75 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually in the US.
Thank you for your support of legislation that would enable consumers to save money while mitigating climate change.
Sincerely,
[Name, address]
Extra Extra Credit! ✅✅
No Labels has dropped out of the Presidential election! HUGE! Move On has launched a petition to RFK calling on him to do the same. Who knows if it’ll help, but it can’t hurt. Let’s sign!
Get Smart! 📚
DemCast invites you to a webinar to learn about how we can win in Florida.
The Florida GOP overreached, and now abortion is on the ballot in November via a citizen ballot measure, which - along with another measure about marijuana legalization - will massively boost Democratic turnout in 2024.
This Monday at 8pm ET / 5pm PT join DemCast and Target Smart's Tom Bonier on Zoom!
He'll expertly break down how these ballot measures will impact the 2024 maps for White House and Senate.
They'll also discuss how YOU can help turn the tide in the Sunshine State.
Spread the Word! 📣
Let’s share this
quote and the attached article on our preferred social media platform. We really, really need to get these amazing new job numbers out!“The March jobs report was another big one, coming in way above expectations at 303,000 net new jobs, and 22k more in upward revisions from previous months. Average hourly earnings are up 4.1% over the past year. So with inflation at 3.2% over the past year workers in America are not only seeing the best job market since the 1960s - almost 60 years! - but are also now clearly getting ahead and beating inflation. It’s a further reminder that Joe Biden has been a strong and capable leader for our great nation, and America is far better off today due to his leadership.”
Win Races! 🗳
Want to help re-elect Sherrod Brown and win Ohio for Joe Biden and Team Blue? On Thursday, April 11, from 7-8 PM ET, join the Ohio Dems Coordinated Campaign to meet their team and talk about the critical work they’ll be doing to protect the Senate and win elections everywhere.
This is a volunteer kickoff call, so if you want to give time in Ohio it’s a great event to attend. The Ohio Dems are doing excellent work right now—they need you!
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
Last night, as you know, I moderated a “Food Waste Action Party” for Climate Action Now. Three really incredible speakers spoke about the enormous impact food waste has on the climate crisis; they also talked about some easy ways our government can help decrease it.
Participants also took a load of actions (a few of which are in this newsletter today) to push for the passage of good food waste reduction legislation. You can watch a recording of the webinar here and download the Climate Action Now app so you can take more actions. The campaign is still up on the app!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T Climate Action NOW] [Text SIGN PCYWXY to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
Food waste is a huge problem in our country, so I am writing to ask that you support the Food Date Labeling Act (H.R. 3159 and S. 1484).
This bill would clear up confusion about “best-used-by” and other labels by establishing requirements for quality and discard dates in food packaging. Currently, there is no federal regulation for date labels. This means that consumers, confused by different types of labels, end up discarding edible food.
Food waste results in households wasting money and exacerbates climate change. Food waste is responsible for about 6% of total US GHG emissions. The nonprofit ReFED found that reducing food waste could generate $73 billion in financial benefit, recover the equivalent of 4 billion meals for food insecure individuals, save 4 trillion gallons of water, and avoid 75 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually in the US.
Thank you for your support of legislation that would enable consumers to save money while mitigating climate change.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
I listen to Robert Hubbell and occasionally Heather Cox Richardson because they read they read their own posts. I was delighted today because I decided to listen and lo and behold, you were reading it!!! I really hate the "canned" voice that so many people use. I will listen to it from now on! Your enthusiasm and spirit shine through. Thank you SO much!
it's wonderful to listen to your post! Thanks so much for all you do.