Chop Wood, Carry Water 5/9
Hate can't be great.
Hi, all, and happy Thursday!
Voila! I promised you a selfie with my favorite president, and here it is.
I took a delightful, albeit hot, walk around the National Mall yesterday and was able to see this splendid work, as well as the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and the Washington Monument. Everything is much bigger in person than it appears on TV, and none of it has disappointed one bit.
I know this is a town of lobbyists, cranks, and cynics, but I still can’t help but feel awed by it. I think it’s important to be so. Cynicism is how we got here. Allowing the aspirational to become ascendant is how we get out. No leader in our history has been perfect. Some, however, have done hugely meaningful things; they are generally those who operated from principle, intelligence, and love.
To put it another way, allow me to quote NY Lt. Governor Anthony Delgado—I just heard him speak this morning. Among other things, he said:
We have to conduct our struggle on a high plane. With dignity, decency, and integrity…hate can amass a lot of power but hate can never be great. In order to be great you have to love.
Democracy is a moral endeavor. We have to believe in it. We have to have faith in it.
Gorgeous. He reminded us at the end of his speech that the love he spoke about wasn’t just abstract, either. “Love,” he said, “is an action.”
I couldn’t agree more. Hope is an action, too. So is patriotism.
So let’s take some loving, hopeful, patriotic actions right now.
We simply have no choice but to win this thing. So win we will, with your help.
P.S. Slightly truncated newsletter today, as I’m doing this on my breaks.
P.P.S. Sorry for all typos. Same reason.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I understand that Republicans are trying to roll back the Biden Administration’s new rule capping credit cards late fees at $8. This rule will save ordinary folks ten billion dollars a year! [Insert how credit card fees have affected you]. Anyone blocking this rule doesn’t care about me, and I’ll remember it at the ballot box. Please vote NO on H.J. Res. 122.
Also, please oppose HR 7109, another Republican-backed bill which would require the Census Bureau to ask questions about citizenship on the census. These questions are unnecessary and intrusive, and will undermine the census count in every state and community—creating an environment of fear for immigrant and mixed-status families. Please vote no on this bill. Thanks.
Get Smart! 📚
Phone Bank Training with Third Act and Activate America
May 14, 2024 | 6:00 PM Eastern/ 3:00 PM Pacific
Join Third Act and Activate America for an upcoming session to learn the ropes of phone banking. Hosted by Third Act SF Bay Area's Maureen Forney, and Activate America's Shelby Dewberry. No experience required! This is for the phone-bank curious who want some general pointers—there will be no actual phonebanking.
Spread the Word! 📣
I want to alert you to a great new website, demsmakelifebetter.org. It has a line of products that help turn average citizens into walking, talking billboards for Democrats. In a Dems Make Life Better t-shirt, you can spread positive messaging about Dems everywhere you go! (I’ve posted about this once before, but that was before they had the new website)
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
A full range of DMLB products including unisex, fitted and toddler tees in English; unisex and fitted tees in Spanish; embroidered caps; lawn signs, buttons and even a dog bandana!
All products are American-made, union-printed, carbon neutral and feature the union label.
They’ve developed two key resources, a “Meaningful Conversations Guide” and a summary of “How Dems Make Life Better” which are both easily downloadable from the site.
Testimonials from key influencers including Robert Hubbell.
Links to social media accounts and an email template to make it easy to share the campaign with your networks.
Give 💰!
The terrific Force Multiplier is again partnering with the Rural Democracy Initiative to support groups engaged in the essential work of organizing rural voters. SO IMPORTANT!
On Monday, May 13, 7:00-8:00pm ET please join them to hear from these innovative organizers:
Sarah Jaynes, Executive Director, Rural Democracy Initiative
Kristin Wheeler, Chief Strategy Officer, Galvanize Action
Megan Hess, Rural Organizing Director, We the People Michigan
REGISTER + DONATE (any amount will get you in).
Win Races! 🗳
Activate America has just launched new postcard campaigns into New York reaching voters in NY-18 and NY-19.
NY-18 is represented by Democrat Rep. Pat Ryan, a West Point graduate and former military intelligence officer with two tours of duty in Iraq.
Conversely, NY-19 is represented by Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro, whose reckless public safety record includes voting against prohibiting domestic abusers from possessing firearms.
Want to help us hold NY-18 and/or flip NY-19?
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your House rep] [H/T] [Text SIGN PNLLRX to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
As your constituent, I am strongly urging you to vote against the Equal Representation Act (H.R. 7109) that would ask questions about citizenship in the U.S. Census – and other similar proposals in the future.
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution clearly states that the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives is based on a count of “the whole number of persons in each state.” The federal government has allocated seats in the House this way since 1868, consistent with the 14th Amendment.
These questions are unnecessary and intrusive, will undermine the census count in every state and community, and deepen an environment of fear for immigrant and mixed-status families.
The inclusion of a citizenship question in the Census would have a chilling effect on migrants, resulting in an undercount of immigrant communities, both those lawfully present and those undocumented. If undocumented immigrants are undercounted in the U.S. Census, we would risk excluding up to 5.5 million children who are U.S. citizens but have at least one undocumented parent.
Census data informs the allocation of $2.8 trillion annually in federal assistance to states, local communities, and families for a range of needed services. Asking about citizenship will result in many people going uncounted, especially those in low-income communities, and all of their residents will suffer.
I urge you to vote NO when the Equal Representation Act comes up for a vote, and strongly oppose similar measures in the future.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Yay Jessica!! Love the photo with your favorite President, and also the quote from NY Lt Governor Anthony Delgado. Both are so inspiring, as is your somehow being able to put out this newsletter while traveling and attending events. AAAmmmmaaaaazzzzing!!!
If you haven’t watched the movie “Born Yesterday” with Judy Holliday and William Holden, I highly recommend it. It couldn’t be more topical, plus it’s a love letter to DC and democracy. And...as always, thank you.