Chop Wood, Carry Water 5/28
They want us to quit. We won't.
Hi, all, and happy Wednesday.
Today’s a down day for the newsletter, but below you’ll find a few things that can’t, for time reasons, wait until tomorrow. You’ll also find a Resistbot letter from the amazing Rogan’s List—they have a whole resource document dedicated to stopping the GOP Death bill, so if you send the letter and are still hungry for stuff to do you can dig in to that here.
I know it feels overwhelming right now, like the corruption and cruelty go so deep there’s no other side to them, but history shows us that even the most crooked and depraved governments can be brought down eventually, if the populace bands together and peacefully resists. The trick is to not give up, even though such governments try to make us do exactly that.
Chop wood. Carry water. One day at a time we’ll keep doing this work. In time we will prevail. I promise.
Learn more about trans healthcare
On Friday I did an Instagram Live with Dr. Kellan Baker, the Executive Director of Whitman-Walker Institute and a transgender health expert.
Dr. Baker and I talked about the Trump administration's cruel attacks on trans Americans, what gender affirming care for young Americans really looks like, and how folks like you and I can help our trans friends and family. It was really informative, even to me, and I have a trans kid! I hope you’ll consider watching!
Get Smart #1! 📚
Join Indivisible for an introduction to phonebanking training on Thursday, May 29 at 5pm ET/2pm PT to learn what phonebanking is all about, and how we’re going to use it to protect Medicaid, SNAP, and other vital programs.
Get Smart #2
RSVP for Media and Democracy’s upcoming event: “The Power of Editorial Cartoonists for Democracy“ with repeat Pulitzer Prize-winning Ann Telnaes, on Thursday May 29 at 8pm ET.
Telnaes is an editorial cartoonist (formerly with The Washington Post) and a powerful press freedom advocate.
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO)’s analysis of Republicans “Death Bill,” cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would result in roughly 13.7 million people losing their health insurance by 2034. Using CBO’s analysis and other research, the Joint Economic Committee – Minority calculated initial estimates of the number of people who would lose health insurance in each Congressional District. Check it out, and then share the info with people in your district!
Win Races! 🗳
The Virginia Primary for statewide races is just ahead on June 17, offering us a pivotal moment to redefine the future of Virginia elections and the midterms next year.
History shows that over 75% of primary voters return for the general election. By engaging these voters now, we lay the foundation for sustained participation and lasting change.
Will you join the Center For Common Ground’s efforts to mobilize Black voters by making calls to Virginia with them?
Whether you're new to phone banking or thrive in group settings, they welcome you to join them every Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 5 pm PT / 6 to 8 pm ET.
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
Empowering Global Climate Action
Climate Interactive, a climate tech and education nonprofit, is launching its En-ROADS Climate Ambassador Camp (ECA Camp) 2025. It is a free, virtual, month-long training program designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to drive impactful climate action. Starting on July 1, 2025, this immersive cohort experience blends self-paced learning with live sessions, peer collaboration, and hands-on facilitation practice.
ECA Camp 2025 offers a curriculum centered around the Mastering En-ROADS course. Participants will delve into the En-ROADS climate solutions simulator—a powerful tool developed by Climate Interactive and MIT Sloan—to explore and understand the dynamics of climate systems and solutions. No prior knowledge is required.
Applications are open until June 26. Click here to register.
This is a great opportunity to turn your eco-anxiety into action!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PEGPKQ to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
(Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)
The clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act are being eliminated in the reconciliation bill to cover the costs of the Trump-Musk tax scam. Your office needs to do what they can to protect them.
What’s being proposed is a tax hike that would raise family energy bills. NERA Consulting has estimated that abandoning these tax cuts will force electricity prices almost 10% higher over the next four years. Energy Innovation predicts getting rid of them will kill 800,000 jobs. That’s a price I am not willing to pay for more giveaways to billionaires.
Getting rid of the IRA tax credits is good for fossil fuel industry donors and takes money from the pockets of regular people. I am expecting you to oppose it.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
I was initially drawn to your newsletter because, being a zen Buddhist, I am familiar with the term and the concept. Now, as we’re going through this horrible time in our history, trying to find ways to help as we are being inundated with all the fires and bombs that Trump is burning to make us want to give up, understanding the title of your newsletter is even more vital. I feel like you were able to look into the future. You just don’t know what war against democracy is like until you are immersed in it, witnessing the destruction that can occur in our country. I did believe 2025 would come into being, but not how horrific it is. I’ve gained profound respect and admiration for Ukraine, whose situation is more horrible than ours. And now to read articles about what other countries facing Fascism and authoritarianism have gone through and are still going through. I found lately that after I chop wood I have to sit on my cushion. But after sitting for a time, when I get back up I have the strength to carry water, and repeat that every day.
Amazing post and thank you for the hookup on the district by district estimates of people who will lose insurance - I’m calling Boebert’s office today and everyday until she is defeated anyway now I have stats too!