Chop Wood, Carry Water 5/25
Hi, all, and happy Thursday!
I just sent my paid subscribers a video about the stellar session Minnesota Democrats concluded this week (I have to offer them something special!) If you’re not a paid subscriber that’s OK—Jay Kuo wrote about it here. Either way, please check out what happened and familiarize yourself with the bills MN Democrats just passed. What they accomplished in their first session with a trifecta is extraordinary—in fact jaw-dropping.
Why familiarize yourself with the accomplishments of the Democratic legislature in one midwestern state? Because we only just achieved a trifecta in Minnesota last November. It’s critically important that everyone see, understand, and amplify the extraordinary work that Democrats can do on a state level—especially when they’ve gained their majorities due to our hard work—and will do in others, given the opportunity.
Employing, for a moment, the carrot and stick metaphor, we can’t only resort to the “stick” of fear to motivate others to act; we need also generously wield “carrots” of hope and promise. The “carrot” of what Democrats prioritize and pass, given the opportunity, is one of the most enticing and substantive we have. It will lead many to leap off the sidelines and get to work.
So please, read Jay’s article or, if you’re a paid subscriber, watch the video (you can also find it on TikTok here or IG here) and SHARE the great news! Democrats do deliver. Give them majorities, as we did in a number of new states in 2022, and they’ll knock it out of the park. They’ve now done so in Michigan, Minnesota, and even Pennsylvania, where House Democrats are both advancing excellent legislation AND blocking appalling laws from getting passed. Even in Nebraska, where we’re in the minority, our members fought spectacular battles against abortion and trans healthcare bans. In fact, they almost stopped them. They may have lost this round, but their fight has inspired millions.
And they’re just getting started.
One more reminder: the States Project and Sister District are largely responsible for these recent statehouse wins. The former strategically funds statehouse races everyone else neglects; the latter provides those same races with volunteers from all over the country. There are, perhaps, no more critical organizations to support with your dollars and/or, in the case of Sister District, your volunteer time.
If we like the effects, after all, we must support the causes!
So let’s do that. And spread the word everywhere you can: Democrats deliver!
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
[If GOP]: I understand that Ronna McDaniel is bragging that a default on our economy “bodes very well for the Republican field” next year. Does she understand—or do any Republicans, for that matter—that Americans like me are about to LOSE everything if your party drags us into default? Americans aren’t dumb. We see that Republicans are refusing to negotiate. We see that they want to take away Medicaid, Social Security, nutritional assistance, educational funding, and veterans benefits. And they think doing that, plus blowing up our retirement funds and crashing the world economy would “bode very well” for their chances in 2024? Wrong. We will absolutely rout the Republican party next year if you don’t raise the debt ceiling right now. Stop playing with our futures. Thanks.
[If Democrat:] I’m calling to ask the representative to stay strong in the debt ceiling negotiations and refuse to cut critical programs like Medicaid, Social Security, nutritional assistance, educational funding, and veterans benefits. Also please make sure that all climate provisions from the Inflation Reduction Act remain intact. This stuff is all so important—Republicans can’t be allowed to use a hostage situation to drag us backwards. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Sigh. Let’s call Kevin McCarthy. (202) 225-2915 or (661) 327-3611.
Say:
I’m calling Congressmember McCarthy in his capacity as House Speaker. He needs to stop worrying about his own political future and do whatever it takes to get the debt ceiling raised now. This has gone on long enough. Congress authorized spending and now the United States has to pay what it owes. No conditions. Stop holding the full faith and credit of the United States hostage. Stop threatening economic catastrophe. We will absolutely rout the Republicans in the elections next year if they don’t knock this off now. Thanks.
Get Smart! 📚
Speaking of state-level elections, the 2023 Virginia Elections will impact not only Virginia but the entire country. Virginia is the last Southern state where reproductive care is still safe and legal, and that is on the ballot in the June primary and the November General. All 140 seats in the Virginia legislature are up for election, and redistricting has caused an unprecedented number of retirements.
We can't afford to sit out the June primary in Virginia; in several races the candidate that wins the primary will win the General. That's why I'm inviting you to come tonight, at 8PM ET, to the National Women's Political Caucus of Virginia Rally for Virginia - The Road to Richmond webinar! Join special guest Heather Booth to talk about what is at stake and meet some of Virginia's candidates. Heather is AMAZING—she’s like me on steroids. You don’t want to miss her.
Spread the Word! 📣
Please share this graphic from Americans For Tax Fairness.
Give 💰!
Speaking of Virginia, I’ve just launched my Chop Wood, Carry VA States Project Giving Circle! Please give any amount if you can—all of the funds raised will go to doing in VA—eventually—what we just did in Minnesota. But in the shorter term we’ll be helping to block an abortion ban in the only Southern state left with abortion access.
I’ve set a rather audacious goal of 20K and I’m determined to get there. The stakes are VERY high. Give here and please share with friends!
Win Races! 🗳
I phonebanked into Denver Colorado yesterday with the Environmental Voter Project—Denver has a run-off municipal election on June 6th. Y’all, I’m just going to keep saying it: these phonebanks are awesome. They’re so easy; because they are nonpartisan you don’t have to argue with anyone about candidates or issues. You’re simply giving people the information they need to make their voices heard.
Remember, people who list climate as their top issue are INCREDIBLY low-propensity voters. They don’t turn out! We need to change this and EVP has a plan to do so.
Sign up for a phonebank or webinar here.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[to your HOUSE rep] [H/T] [Quick send: text SIGN PJCZCW to 50409 or share.]
I’m concerned that additional work requirements in H.R. 2811, the Limit, Save, Grow Act, will do harm to people who rely on Medicaid, food stamps, or TANF.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, similar work requirements for Medicaid in Arkansas caused 17,000 people to lose coverage and people didn’t actually work more. And food stamps and TANF already have work requirements that cover practically everyone who is actually able to work.
Please stay strong in debt ceiling negotiations and do not agree to harsh, unnecessary, and ineffective work requirements for these programs. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
When I called my Rep today, I also pointed out that it would look really bad for the GOP if the House went to recess without cleaning up the debt ceiling mess. Don't know if it will work, but even kindergarters clean up before they go out to play.
I was asked for my name and zip code; perhaps to ensure that they're not being 'botted' with calls, maybe to see how often one person is contributing to the call volume. Makes no difference to me, I'll still call.
In contrast to the folks in Minnesota, the GOP Trifecta in MO almost failed to pass a budget and left a lot of things on the calendar when the mandated adjournment came around, all due to intraparty squabbling; there aren't unfortunately, enough Democrats in state government here to even be effective roadblocks.
You're so right about talking up Dem accomplishments. That was the problem in Virginia when it flipped red -- Democrats had accomplished big things with their majority, but nobody KNEW.