Chop Wood, Carry Water 7/13

Hi, all, and happy Thursday!

Thanks to all of the paid subscribers who responded to my somewhat urgent request this morning.

Let me explain: I recently became a co-host of How We Win, a great politics and activism-themed podcast which, among other things, features an interview with a new guest each week. This morning I got a text from my co-host Steve Pierson reminding me that we had an interview scheduled with Rep. Eric Swalwell at 11AM. Steve informed me, furthermore, that because of a scheduling conflict I’d be doing it more or less on my own. And that he’d had no time to prepare questions. Ack!

With less than two hours to prepare and the newsletter to get out I decided to crowdsource some help. I’m always trying to find perks to offer my paid subscribers—after all, they are literally enabling me to keep doing what I do—so I thought maybe they would enjoy the opportunity to ask Swalwell a question. I posted a new Thread asking for ideas—quick!

The results have been everything I expected—thoughtful, probing, and wide ranging questions that I’d love to ask not just Swalwell but any Democratic lawmaker. I’ve added them all to the interview doc. Unfortunately Swalwell’s office has since let us know they had to reschedule, so the interview isn’t happening today after all. The good news is I’m now super prepared for it, whenever it does take place. Thanks for that, friends!

In the meantime we have a great interview with Ben Sheehan on this week’s episode—he’s a civics education expert and the author of “OMG WTF Does The Constitution Actually Say.” You can take a listen here if you like.

Ok, all. Time to take the simple, easy, yet indispensable actions that are helping to move our country in the right direction!

Remember: your voice matters and so do you.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m calling because I’m deeply frustrated. Tommy Tuberville’s blockade of military promotions is bad enough. Now Senator Vance has said that he will put a hold on all nominees to the Justice Department. These blockades are an abuse of power that are hurting our country. It’s time for them to be lifted or for Senate rules to be reformed so that confirmations can continue. Will the Senator call for Senators Tuberville and Vance to lift their blockades? Or will s/he pressure Senator Schumer to call for a rules change? Because this can’t go on. Thanks. [H/T and more info in this article]

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

I want the Congressmember to support Rep. Brendan Boyle’s newly introduced “No Taxpayer Bailout for Defamation Act,” which would revise federal tax code to stop allowing corporations to deduct the cost of defamation settlements from their income taxes. It is outrageous that taxpayers essentially subsidize large defamation suits like the one Fox News just lost, especially when the party acknowledges fault. As a taxpayer I’m not OK with that. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

Let’s call Chuck Schumer and demand a rules change so that one Senator can’t blockade military (or other) promotions! His numbers are:

‭(212) 486-4430‬ or ‭(518) 431-4070‬ or ‭(202) 224-6542‬ or ‭(914) 734-1532‬ ‭(631) 753-0978‬.

Say:

My name is ______ and I’m calling Senator Schumer in his capacity as Majority Leader. I’m deeply frustrated with Tommy Tuberville’s blockade of military promotions and Senator Vance’s hold on all nominees to the Justice Department. These blockades are an abuse of power that are hurting our country. It’s time for Senate rules to be reformed so that this bad behavior by Republicans can’t continue. Will Senator Schumer call for that? Thanks.

Get Smart! 📚

This is a really good piece on handling trolls online. Highly recommend. And if messaging is your thing

FrameLab

is a great follow.

Response is Reward: Why you can't win debating trolls on Twitter (or in life)

Win Races! 🗳

Ready to help SURJ make a massive blow against Mitch McConnell’s political empire? 

SURJ is throwing down in the Bluegrass State to keep Democrat Governor Andy Beshear in office—the election is in November. Beshear won last time by 5,000 votes! This elected office stands between a Republican trifecta in the state, which would be terrible for Kentuckians, and further advance an authoritarian agenda in this country which affects all of us. 

Here’s the calendar of events where you can plug in. And here are some upcoming events:

• Sat. July 15, 1 ET - kick off to call Kentucky voters

• Mon. July 17, 6 ET - call folks in the SURJ network to recruit them to phonebanks

• Thu. July 20, 6 ET - call Kentucky voters 

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

[to all 3 reps] [H/T Alan Unell’s Healthcare Advocacy] [Quick send: text SIGN PZIMLL to 50409]

I’m writing because I’m horrified and deeply concerned about the Black maternal health crisis in our country. Congress needs to act.

Women of color suffer from countless systemic barriers to good healthcare. They are also less likely to be believed when they report medical concerns. This racism goes across all socioeconomic and education lanes — the evidence is overwhelming. Pregnancy-related mortality rates among Black women are over three times higher than the rate for White women. This is unacceptable.

That’s why we must pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, a comprehensive piece of legislation that includes 13 bills to address maternal health. The bills make investments in social determinants of health, such as housing, transportation, and nutrition, which can influence maternal health outcomes.

Please support H.R. 3305 / S.1606 the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act and urge your colleagues to as well. America shouldn’t be going the wrong direction on maternal mortality in general, and the fact that the problem is far worse in Black moms is just egregious. Please do something! Thanks.

---

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

Talk soon.

Jess