Chop Wood, Carry Water 4/7
Hi, all, and happy Friday.
I have opened many newsletters with the words “what a week,” but this week may take the proverbial cake. The irony that it’s occurring during what is supposed to be my Spring break is not lost on me. But what’s happening is, I believe, too important to sit out. We are witnessing a true crisis of our democracy. Like all crises, it is deeply painful and profoundly distressing to watch. It will likely grow more so.
For we as a country are “bottoming out.” Such bottoms can get very low. And they can last for a while.
But—and I’ve said it before—they can ultimately also be catalysts for transformation. If, that is, we choose to make them such.
I believe we are at such an inflection point now. Our job is to make sure that we use this moment to inspire—not depress—action. To fight harder—not to give up. To double down—not cede an inch of ground.
We have a deeply teachable moment on our hands; it’s our job to be the fierce purveyors of that lesson, which is, of course:
Democracy has been neglected.
As a result it is sick. In its weakness it is being attacked. And it is in real, clear danger.
Democracy, however, can be saved.
It is we—and we only—who can save it.
It will be hard. It will take time. But we can be patient, and persistent, and do hard things.
Together we must do just that. We can. And we will.
Pass it on.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
This week we learned that for more than two decades Clarence Thomas has been accepting yearly luxury trips from Republican mega-donor Harlan Crow. These trips, worth several millions of dollars, appeared nowhere on Thomas’ financial disclosures. His failure to report them almost definitely violates the law and is a shocking ethical breach. I’d like the Senator to call for him to resign immediately. Also, the Senate must pass S. 359, the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act immediately. Public trust in the Supreme Court is plummeting. It will continue to do so until Congress acts. Thanks.
[If Democrat add:] On a related note, it's time to abolish blue slips. That system is being hopelessly abused. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
This week we learned that for more than two decades Clarence Thomas has been accepting yearly luxury trips from Republican mega-donor Harlan Crow. These trips, worth several millions of dollars, appeared nowhere on Thomas’ financial disclosures. His failure to report them probably violates the law and certainly is a shocking ethical breach. I’d like the Congressmember to call upon him to resign immediately. Also, the House needs to pass H.R. 926, the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act immediately. Public trust in the Supreme Court is plummeting. It will continue to do so until Congress acts. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Let’s call Senator Richard Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, at 202-224-2152 or 312-353-4952 or 217-492-4062 and say:
My name is ______ and I’m calling the Senator in his capacity as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. ProPublica just reported that Supreme Court Justice Thomas has accepted millions of dollars worth of luxury trips from a Republican mega-donor and broken ethics laws by failing to disclose them.
The Senate cannot let this extraordinary display of corruption and lawbreaking go unanswered. As long as we are stuck with a Supreme Court made up of corrupt ideologues in the pocket of far-right donors, the American people deserve to know the truth. I ask that your committee launch hearings at once. Thank you.
Script adapted from Demand Justice’s excellent statement here.
Get Smart! 📚
You’re invited to join a message briefing with Caring Across Generations and Hart Research’s Geoff Garin, presenting findings from a new national survey on voters’ attitudes towards Medicaid and the threats to Medicaid in 2023. The results also include specific messaging on how to effectively push back against cuts to Medicaid and work requirements, as well as how to talk about Medicaid home- and community-based services.
It’s on Tuesday, April 11th, at 12 PM ET.
Register for the virtual briefing here. There will be time for a Q&A. A recording of the briefing will be available following the call for those who register. Please feel free to share throughout your networks!
Spread the Word! 📣
Today I ask you simply to keep what is happening in Nashville at the forefront of Americans’ minds. Please post this excellent Status Kuo explainer on what happened and where we are now. And with it please post a link to register to vote. People are feeling despair. We must encourage them to channel their rage into action instead.
Give 💰!
Following their expulsion yesterday, and considering that they both plan to re-run for their seats immediately, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson have re-opened their campaign act blue links!
Justin Jones’s is here.
Justin Pearson’s is here.
And Senator Chris Murphy just created a fundraising page that will split the money raised evenly between the two. Easy peasy! That’s here.
LET’S DO THIS!
Register (Young) Voters! 🗳
The Civics Center has launched their Cap, Gown & Ballot campaign to make voter registration part of every student's high school experience. We need your help!
Students and educators can get involved through their Run-A-Drive workshops that train and support high school students and their communities in this effort. The Civic Center’s next scheduled workshop is 4/11.
Volunteers can also sign up for the Best Phonebank Ever, to phone educators and encourage them to get their schools involved.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[to your Senators] [H/T] [Quick send: text SIGN PDAGAQ to 50409
I’m writing as a constituent to ask that the Senate swiftly vote to confirm Julie Su to be our next Labor Secretary.
Su is a nationally recognized labor expert, speaks Mandarin and Spanish, and spent 17 years as a civil rights attorney representing workers. She previously served as California’s state labor secretary, where she oversaw the largest state labor department in the country and led an agency that serves more than 17 million workers. Su has vision, experience, and the dedication needed to build a 21st century economy that works for everyone.
I support the Biden administration's efforts to remake the U.S. economy from the bottom up and middle out. We need Julie Su confirmed so that he can continue fulfilling this mission. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Hi Jessica
I tried calling Dick Durbin's numbers listed, but seems the only option for opinions is his website and to send an email. All 3 numbers don't seem to want comments/opinions left. Thanks for all you do!!!
Thank you for your amazing work...you are such an inspiration.
One more item to add: Red states are adding as many voter ID requirements as they can stuff into each legislative session. Ohio desperately needs help. David Pepper is resisting the red tidal wave every day. He's working with VoteRiders.Org to help Ohioans obtain the required IDs.
Please help if you can, via donations or text/calls. The GOP has provided almost no guidance, and removing friction from voting is the start to rebuilding democracy in Ohio.