Chop Wood, Carry Water 5/12

Hi, all, and happy Thursday!

First of all, apologies to all who wanted to write to the SEC yesterday but were unsure of the file number to use. I thought, mistakenly, that the link I gave you brought you to the public comment page for that file. It did not. The file number is S7-10-22, and comments can—and should!—still be made here.

Second, I would normally hold this for my “Extra! Extra!” newsletter, but because this week has been such a debacle I am going to recommend that everyone stop what they’re doing and read Dan Rather’s latest essay “In the Face of Despair.” It really will help.

He closes with this, and I will reiterate it here:

“America is calling us. Do we have the courage, will we take the time and make the effort to answer?”

My answer to that is YES. Emphatically. If that’s your response as well let’s get to work one more time. Because this is tough…

But we’re tougher. Even if we don’t know that yet.

Call Your Senators (find yours here)

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

[If Democrat:]

I am calling to urge the Senator to pass the $555 billion climate package before Memorial Day.

Democrats need to seize on this moment to pass a reconciliation bill with strong climate and clean energy investments to fight inflation, insulate the American economy from volatile oil and gas markets, address the climate crisis, disempower fossil fueled dictators like Vladimir Putin, and motivate climate voters to turn out for Democrats in the midterms. We’re running out of time. Please act. Thanks. [H/T]

[If Republican or Joe Manchin]

I’m calling to implore the Senator to join Democrats in working to quickly pass climate legislation. Making strong clean energy investments now will fight inflation, insulate the American economy from volatile oil and gas markets, address the climate crisis, and disempower fossil fueled dictators like Vladimir Putin. We’re running out of time. Please act. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here)

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

A horrifying new report from the CDC found that the U.S. experienced a historic rise in gun deaths in 2020. In fact, gun-related homicide deaths increased by almost 35 percent in just one year, reaching the highest level in 25 years. In total, nearly 80% of homicides and more than half of all suicides involved guns. Yes Congress is doing nothing. It’s frustrating and enraging.

One bill that’s a no-brainer, that can and should be passed right away, is HR 748, Ethan’s Law. This bill would simply require safe storage of firearms when minors could have access to them. Has the Congressmember yet co-sponsored? [If yes thank. If no add:] Why on earth not? Do they not want to save young lives? Please ask them to sign on right away. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

Please post this on social media AND sign the petition.

Amazing kids are organizing for peace, #climateaction, & a livable future. 💙🌎

11-yr-old Lillian Fortuna started a petition asking @POTUS to send electric heat pumps to Europe & lessen Putin's fossil-fuel-financed grip on power.

Please sign & share! https://www.change.org/p/joseph-r-biden-stop-putin-by-sending-heat-pumps-to-europe

Get Smart! 📚

🚨 Want to learn more ways to fight disinformation? 🚨

I’ve got just the event for you, this Sunday, May 15 at 4 PM PT/7 PM ET

In Conversation with Dan Pfeiffer: On Battling the Big Lie and the Importance of Effective Messaging

Dan Pfeiffer, cohost of Pod Save America, New York Times bestselling author, and one of Barack Obama's longest serving White House advisors, joins Indivisible Marin in a conversation about the compelling topic of his new book —how to combat political disinformation and dangerous lies of the right-wing propaganda machine. Dan will also cover his perspectives on opportunities for winning messaging strategies for the Democratic Party in the 2022 midterms. There will be time at the end of the event for questions from the audience. SIGN UP HERE.

Activism 101 Today!

Friendly reminder I am putting on an Activism 101 today and it’s open to anyone! It’s from 4-5 PM PDT — you can register here. You’ll get an hour’s worth of pep talks, instructions on ways to help us win in November, and tips for making everything you try, activismwise, go better. You’ll love it, I promise!

TEXT to Win Races! 🗳

In just a few hours Sunrise Pennsylvania will be helping volunteers text voters about Green New Deal champions running for office across PA. The primaries are just 6 days away and we need all hands on deck. Can you help?

Even if you’ve never textbanked before, they’ll give you all the tools you need beforehand so you’re prepared! You can join from anywhere and all you need is a computer and reliable internet.

May 12, from 5:30 - 7:30 PM ET, sign up here.

CALL to Win Races! ☎️

At 3PM I’ll be doing my weekly phonebank into Arizona. We call Democrats who don’t vote reliably and remind them how urgent this November’s elections are. Can you come? I WILL TRAIN YOU!

3-5 PM PDT Sign up here.

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

[to your Senators] [H/T] [Quick send text SIGN PNRMPK to 50409]

In a healthy democracy, everyone deserves health, wellness, and safety. That’s why I am writing to you as a constituent to request that you become an original cosponsor of the Medicare for All bill, which Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., plans to reintroduce in May.

Sixty-nine percent of registered voters in an April 2020 poll support providing Medicare to every American. Instead of rich people profiting from other people’s illness, Medicare for All would keep that money in our healthcare system to improve it. It would also lower costs for working people by eliminating corporate profits and reducing administrative costs, which account for 25% of hospital spending.

Americans spend more on health care than people in any other country in the world and 31.1 million people in the U.S. are still uninsured. Tens of thousands of uninsured people die each year due to lack of health insurance. And many people learn that the private insurance they have is inadequate when a true medical emergency arises. Because of this, medical bills contribute to more than 60% of all bankruptcies, and ¾ of that medical debt is for people with insurance.

People of every race and income level deserve to get care when they get sick or injured–without being terrified of a medical bill. Will you cosponsor Medicare for All?

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

Talk tomorrow.

Jess