Thanks for the Target email, Jessica! Here's what I just wrote. I hope other Chop Wood readers will speak up, too.
"I’ve been a Target shopper for years, even when I’ve had to drive 100 miles to get to one of your stores. You undoubtedly have millions of other loyal customers. So I’m surprised your decision-makers would betray the loyalty of your customers and staff by caving to the hysteria, hate, and fear promoted by right-wing extremists against Pride. The anti-LGBT+ people choose to purposely target a minority of people with bigotry, rage, and contempt. I’m appalled that Target is OK with that.
"Acclaimed historian Timothy Snyder writes about people who seek to diminish, disrespect, or even destroy targeted groups. In ON TYRANNY, TWENTY LESSONS FROM THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, he says, “Do not obey in advance.” By caving to bigotry, you confirm that threats to harm others work. A powerful company like Target is teaching hate groups how much they can get away with.
"I am discouraged by the choice Target management has made - and angry as well. Millions of us expect better from you.
"I’m eager to hear your public apology for caving to hate - and to see you restore your Pride products to your stores. Tell the haters your company's bottom line depends on loyalty to staff, customers, and human decency."
Just posted this to Target's Corporate Responsibility site:
I’m writing as a decent middle-aged American consumer to ask you to return Pride merchandise to the shelves in stores from which you’ve removed it. I can’t tell you the devastation it causes in young queer people to hear that businesses aren’t willing to stand with them during this fraught and frankly scary moment in American history. While a smaller business, furthermore, might have real reason to fear a boycott, you’re Target. You can take a small financial hit—if it comes—to stand up for a vulnerable community. And from a business standpoint it’s the smart move. These are your future customers, and they will remember forever if you abandon them now. So will millions of us who are not queer or LGBTQ+ but just upright people with a sense of moral responsibility. If you don’t need ethics, we don’t need Target. Thanks.
(thank you, Jess, for the template, the contact info & the gentle nudge!)
Robert Reich missed the most important one: "Blame the Democrats."
Thanks, Jessica, for your encouragement and suggested actions. But it's not enough to just do stuff. We need to tell everyone what we're doing and why. We need to anticipate the misinformation and disinformation from the other side, and head it off. We need to be shouting from the rooftops.
I wrote a "speech" I'd like to see President Biden deliver, telling the country that he's taking unilateral action on the debt ceiling because of the Republican-led House's failure to do its job. I have posted it as comments on Robert Hubbell's Today's Edition and Dan Rather's Steady, where it was well-received. I've also posted it on my own Substack site, Random Thoughts (title: "My Solemn Duty"). I was encouraged by readers to send it to the President, which I did a couple of days ago, and you reminded me to send it to my Senators, which I just did. I won't bother sending it to my "Representative," because he's not...
It may be a bit dated, now that there's a possible deal, but if it falls apart, this is ready to go!
Here's a speech I'd like to hear President Biden deliver tonight:
"My Fellow Americans,
“As you know, the global economy is perilously close to collapsing due to our national debt limit set by Congress. The failure of the Republican-led House of Representatives to do its job and provide for funding a budget it has previously approved has brought us to this moment. I'm here to assure you that I will do everything in my power to sustain the economic recovery we've achieved over the past two years, and save the global economy from the catastrophic effects that a debt default would bring.
“Some Republicans believe, and have said publicly, that they are willing to crash the global economy in order to stop my Administration from cleaning up the mess left behind by my predecessor. They believe that by destroying our economy, and the rest of the world's with it, they can hang their destructive deeds around my neck. Indeed, my predecessor, who is running against me in 2024, is inexplicably and irresponsibly advocating just that.
“I'm here to tell you I'm not gonna let that happen. Over the past several weeks, I've given Congress every opportunity to do its job. I've even negotiated with the House leadership to try to help them. But it's clear that they have a different agenda, one that does not serve the vast majority of Americans.
“Today I am announcing that I am fulfilling my duty under the Constitution of the United States of America, to which I swore a solemn oath to protect and defend, in committing our government to paying its bills by removing an artificial roadblock known as the debt ceiling. It’s a relic of a bygone era, superseded by the budget and appropriation process.
“In accordance with Section 4 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, I am instructing the US Treasury to provide the necessary funds to pay for existing obligations by incurring additional debt to the extent necessary to do so. This action does not in any way restrict Congress from passing legislation to increase the debt ceiling, but it does render it unnecessary.
“I take this action reluctantly, and with full knowledge that I will be chastised by many and challenged in court by a few. I do so without regard for what it may cost me personally, but understanding what not doing so would cost our country and indeed the world.
“I pledge to work with Congress to responsibly balance the budget so that we can reduce the debt going forward. We can do that through a sensible combination of revenue increases and expense reductions, both of which can be achieved substantially by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse. But I will not allow our government to fail the American people, not on my watch.
“May God bless America, and may God protect our troops."
Thanks! There's still time. I was hoping someone a few degrees of separation from his speechwriters might run with it. I also wrote a piece prior that explains some of my reasoning:
Have a wonderful holiday weekend, y'all! Has anyone heard if there is a national march or something being organized in DC to demand that Congress raise the debt ceiling? Thanks for any info!
Great advice! We shouldn't expect anything we have to do to be easy. We just have to do it!
Have a lovely weekend.
Right. It ironically makes it...easier!
Thanks for the Target email, Jessica! Here's what I just wrote. I hope other Chop Wood readers will speak up, too.
"I’ve been a Target shopper for years, even when I’ve had to drive 100 miles to get to one of your stores. You undoubtedly have millions of other loyal customers. So I’m surprised your decision-makers would betray the loyalty of your customers and staff by caving to the hysteria, hate, and fear promoted by right-wing extremists against Pride. The anti-LGBT+ people choose to purposely target a minority of people with bigotry, rage, and contempt. I’m appalled that Target is OK with that.
"Acclaimed historian Timothy Snyder writes about people who seek to diminish, disrespect, or even destroy targeted groups. In ON TYRANNY, TWENTY LESSONS FROM THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, he says, “Do not obey in advance.” By caving to bigotry, you confirm that threats to harm others work. A powerful company like Target is teaching hate groups how much they can get away with.
"I am discouraged by the choice Target management has made - and angry as well. Millions of us expect better from you.
"I’m eager to hear your public apology for caving to hate - and to see you restore your Pride products to your stores. Tell the haters your company's bottom line depends on loyalty to staff, customers, and human decency."
Great letter! Thank you!
Great newsletter as always! Thank you!
Thank you!
I love your words of wisdom at the beginning of each newsletter. Thank you and have a great weekend
Thank you, Kate! So glad you find them helpful.
Just posted this to Target's Corporate Responsibility site:
I’m writing as a decent middle-aged American consumer to ask you to return Pride merchandise to the shelves in stores from which you’ve removed it. I can’t tell you the devastation it causes in young queer people to hear that businesses aren’t willing to stand with them during this fraught and frankly scary moment in American history. While a smaller business, furthermore, might have real reason to fear a boycott, you’re Target. You can take a small financial hit—if it comes—to stand up for a vulnerable community. And from a business standpoint it’s the smart move. These are your future customers, and they will remember forever if you abandon them now. So will millions of us who are not queer or LGBTQ+ but just upright people with a sense of moral responsibility. If you don’t need ethics, we don’t need Target. Thanks.
(thank you, Jess, for the template, the contact info & the gentle nudge!)
Really well said--I mean the parts I didn't say. Thank you for sending!
Robert Reich missed the most important one: "Blame the Democrats."
Thanks, Jessica, for your encouragement and suggested actions. But it's not enough to just do stuff. We need to tell everyone what we're doing and why. We need to anticipate the misinformation and disinformation from the other side, and head it off. We need to be shouting from the rooftops.
I wrote a "speech" I'd like to see President Biden deliver, telling the country that he's taking unilateral action on the debt ceiling because of the Republican-led House's failure to do its job. I have posted it as comments on Robert Hubbell's Today's Edition and Dan Rather's Steady, where it was well-received. I've also posted it on my own Substack site, Random Thoughts (title: "My Solemn Duty"). I was encouraged by readers to send it to the President, which I did a couple of days ago, and you reminded me to send it to my Senators, which I just did. I won't bother sending it to my "Representative," because he's not...
It's a great speech - worth checking out!
Can you post it here?
It may be a bit dated, now that there's a possible deal, but if it falls apart, this is ready to go!
Here's a speech I'd like to hear President Biden deliver tonight:
"My Fellow Americans,
“As you know, the global economy is perilously close to collapsing due to our national debt limit set by Congress. The failure of the Republican-led House of Representatives to do its job and provide for funding a budget it has previously approved has brought us to this moment. I'm here to assure you that I will do everything in my power to sustain the economic recovery we've achieved over the past two years, and save the global economy from the catastrophic effects that a debt default would bring.
“Some Republicans believe, and have said publicly, that they are willing to crash the global economy in order to stop my Administration from cleaning up the mess left behind by my predecessor. They believe that by destroying our economy, and the rest of the world's with it, they can hang their destructive deeds around my neck. Indeed, my predecessor, who is running against me in 2024, is inexplicably and irresponsibly advocating just that.
“I'm here to tell you I'm not gonna let that happen. Over the past several weeks, I've given Congress every opportunity to do its job. I've even negotiated with the House leadership to try to help them. But it's clear that they have a different agenda, one that does not serve the vast majority of Americans.
“Today I am announcing that I am fulfilling my duty under the Constitution of the United States of America, to which I swore a solemn oath to protect and defend, in committing our government to paying its bills by removing an artificial roadblock known as the debt ceiling. It’s a relic of a bygone era, superseded by the budget and appropriation process.
“In accordance with Section 4 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, I am instructing the US Treasury to provide the necessary funds to pay for existing obligations by incurring additional debt to the extent necessary to do so. This action does not in any way restrict Congress from passing legislation to increase the debt ceiling, but it does render it unnecessary.
“I take this action reluctantly, and with full knowledge that I will be chastised by many and challenged in court by a few. I do so without regard for what it may cost me personally, but understanding what not doing so would cost our country and indeed the world.
“I pledge to work with Congress to responsibly balance the budget so that we can reduce the debt going forward. We can do that through a sensible combination of revenue increases and expense reductions, both of which can be achieved substantially by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse. But I will not allow our government to fail the American people, not on my watch.
“May God bless America, and may God protect our troops."
THIS IS SO GOOD. Thank you so much for posting it. If only he would have done this instead.
Thanks! There's still time. I was hoping someone a few degrees of separation from his speechwriters might run with it. I also wrote a piece prior that explains some of my reasoning:
https://bobmorgan.substack.com/p/til-debt-do-us-part
Great help. I am taking all your comments to heart. I needed that!!!👏🏻🤗🥰🤗
Glad to help! Thank you for being on the team!
Have a wonderful holiday weekend, y'all! Has anyone heard if there is a national march or something being organized in DC to demand that Congress raise the debt ceiling? Thanks for any info!
Jill,
I would not be surprised if people are too strait to be out and about. Too many guns!
You may be right...
I actually wrote” too afraid to be out and about.
Sounds like there is a tentative deal?