Jess, I have been a sustaining donor for MVP for 6 years. And I have hosted parties, in person and by zoom, to raise funds.
So while I am so appreciative of all that you are doing--I continue to be overwhelmed with donation requests. And having just checked my Act Blue account, I am well over this year's donation budget for candidates and grassroots organizations--and there are still more than 4 months to go.
Like so many of your readers who are donating and post carding (and don't forget the cost of stamps in all of this)and phone banking, I am fired up now and EXHAUSTED.
I am hoping that at some point we will look at the absurdity of spending billions of dollars for electing quality candidates. This seems to be a black hole that we can't get out of.
Again, thank you for letting me vent about this--and for all that you do.
I totally understand the feeling. Long term we need to fix the supreme court so Citizens United is overturned and money becomes less of an issue in politics. It'll never be gone but right now we're up against billionaires and large corporations that can effectively spend unlimited amounts of money on elections. It's not sustainable but what we have to deal with for now. Hopefully if we work our butts off we'll win a trifecta in November and can start on these reforms in earnest.
I agree. But I wouldn’t worry about the 4 months to go and just give what you can in the next few weeks or a month and then stop. Money given now is more valuable than money given close to the election (which usually just goes to TV ads).
Ditto, Jenny, with voting as early as is possible in your district/state…that way folks don’t have to spend time/resources encouraging folks to cast their ballots (if they can see from the stats that folks are indeed turning out).
I am in a similar situation. Have hosted several house parties and made so many donations! Yes, it’s ridiculous how much money candidates need to mount a campaign. The only thing that makes me feel better is that I donate almost exclusively to grassroots orgs dedicated to registering new voters, educating them about politics and how to hold their reps responsible, and building infrastructure for long term political power. So, in that sense it feels more like an investment in the future of democracy and less like I’m helping one candidate one candidate get another ad on TV so they can win that one race.
Getting out the vote is super important, but the other half of that is making sure that our votes are accurately counted. If you're not able to go out and canvas, you might be interested in becoming a poll worker or volunteer to observe vote counting. Scrutineers is one organization that I know of, I'm sure there are others.
I would humbly like to offer a tweak to her great slogan: We refuse to go back! The word "refuse" is an empowering/empowered word versus the word can't or won't. It also puts it in the positive, and leaves no room for doubt.
Here’s my edited version of the letter sent regarding climate change tax credits.
Dear President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Acting Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, Aviva Aron-Dine,
I am in favor of implementing the Clean Electricity Production Tax Credit (45Y) and Investment Tax Credit (48E) in a way that promotes real clean energy, by which I mean non-carbon emitting sources.
We need the IRS to truly serve our climate and community's demand for solar, wind and batteries, not false solutions like biogas, biomass, and carbon capture that will pollute our air, harm our health, and fail to act on climate.
Any clean energy tax credits must reduce air pollution, including climate-changing emissions, and address the growing climate crisis. The IRS can accomplish this by making sure that serving communities that are not currently electrified, like rural areas and Tribal lands are not excluded from renewable energy and battery tax credits simply because there is no a grid available for them to connect to.
Climate change is real to me. My dad’s California home burned to the ground in a wildfire. Our previous home in Hawaii was threatened by increased numbers of hurricanes. We installed a solar water heater and PV panels which also powered our EV Leaf. This was only possible with help from Federal and State tax credits. After moving last year to Portland, OR we again installed PV thanks to tax credits. Even in the winter’s short, cloudy days the 6 panels significantly offset our electric usage. Helping ordinary citizens like
us use less carbon-emitting energy is a wise use of our tax incentives. We want to be able to participate in moderating climate change, and we want governmental policies to be meaningful and on target.
That MVP call was amazing!! WE need a recording of Maurice Mitchell's comments to play for all who wonder what they can do in this moment. Wow!
And LaTosha Brown always lifts me up w/ her singing and her message. I love her! When she said not to worry that Black Voters were bringing NC and GA, I teared up. Such passion and joy!
I already donated to MVP on the call this morning, but will make another smaller donation through your link as well.
This feels like a kairos moment. I've been in knots for the last 3 weeks, but woke up not feeling any anxiety whatsoever this morning. We're ready for this...
Thanks for sharing the toolkit! So much to brag about when it comes to Vice President Harris. As she said in her amazing rally. "When we fight, we win!"
Netanyahu gives war talk under cover in our Congress to try to keep himself out of an Israeli jail. A much more effective solution to Palestine/Israel and to End Putin's War is in a little amazon kindle paperback, "Every War Is An UnCivil War" 4th edition. Jan Nichols, a delegate, is going to carry it candidates at the Convention to use as a weapon on the campaign trail. Ike said "I will go to Korea". Kamala can say, 'I will go to Ukraine' and have a winning tool in her pocketbook. IMHO, she should have an open convention to select her veep! think of the excitement and attention for delegates, us, TV. Worth millions in free publicity. With the talent available she/we can't go wrong, but don't take a Senator we need in the Senate.
This is a great free website. I must find someway to reciprocate. If I do some writing about my past professional work, could I earn enough to keep getting this website?
Jess, I have been a sustaining donor for MVP for 6 years. And I have hosted parties, in person and by zoom, to raise funds.
So while I am so appreciative of all that you are doing--I continue to be overwhelmed with donation requests. And having just checked my Act Blue account, I am well over this year's donation budget for candidates and grassroots organizations--and there are still more than 4 months to go.
Like so many of your readers who are donating and post carding (and don't forget the cost of stamps in all of this)and phone banking, I am fired up now and EXHAUSTED.
I am hoping that at some point we will look at the absurdity of spending billions of dollars for electing quality candidates. This seems to be a black hole that we can't get out of.
Again, thank you for letting me vent about this--and for all that you do.
I agree. It's such a crazy way to spend our money. I totally understand!
I totally understand the feeling. Long term we need to fix the supreme court so Citizens United is overturned and money becomes less of an issue in politics. It'll never be gone but right now we're up against billionaires and large corporations that can effectively spend unlimited amounts of money on elections. It's not sustainable but what we have to deal with for now. Hopefully if we work our butts off we'll win a trifecta in November and can start on these reforms in earnest.
Agree.
I agree. But I wouldn’t worry about the 4 months to go and just give what you can in the next few weeks or a month and then stop. Money given now is more valuable than money given close to the election (which usually just goes to TV ads).
Ditto, Jenny, with voting as early as is possible in your district/state…that way folks don’t have to spend time/resources encouraging folks to cast their ballots (if they can see from the stats that folks are indeed turning out).
I am in a similar situation. Have hosted several house parties and made so many donations! Yes, it’s ridiculous how much money candidates need to mount a campaign. The only thing that makes me feel better is that I donate almost exclusively to grassroots orgs dedicated to registering new voters, educating them about politics and how to hold their reps responsible, and building infrastructure for long term political power. So, in that sense it feels more like an investment in the future of democracy and less like I’m helping one candidate one candidate get another ad on TV so they can win that one race.
Cindy, I have long been appalled by the amount of money and length of US elections….this is an interesting NPR piece about election “seasons” around the world…we could learn a thing or two! https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/10/21/450238156/canadas-11-week-campaign-reminds-us-that-american-elections-are-much-longer
☑️ $250 donated. Thank you for always providing specific actions that make a difference.
OMG THANK YOU!
Me too!
WOWOW thanks!
Getting out the vote is super important, but the other half of that is making sure that our votes are accurately counted. If you're not able to go out and canvas, you might be interested in becoming a poll worker or volunteer to observe vote counting. Scrutineers is one organization that I know of, I'm sure there are others.
Scrutineers: https://scrutineers.org/
Yes I just put voter protection in the newsletter today, in fact! (:
Donated✅
I would humbly like to offer a tweak to her great slogan: We refuse to go back! The word "refuse" is an empowering/empowered word versus the word can't or won't. It also puts it in the positive, and leaves no room for doubt.
Good note.
No going back!
Here’s my edited version of the letter sent regarding climate change tax credits.
Dear President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Acting Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, Aviva Aron-Dine,
I am in favor of implementing the Clean Electricity Production Tax Credit (45Y) and Investment Tax Credit (48E) in a way that promotes real clean energy, by which I mean non-carbon emitting sources.
We need the IRS to truly serve our climate and community's demand for solar, wind and batteries, not false solutions like biogas, biomass, and carbon capture that will pollute our air, harm our health, and fail to act on climate.
Any clean energy tax credits must reduce air pollution, including climate-changing emissions, and address the growing climate crisis. The IRS can accomplish this by making sure that serving communities that are not currently electrified, like rural areas and Tribal lands are not excluded from renewable energy and battery tax credits simply because there is no a grid available for them to connect to.
Climate change is real to me. My dad’s California home burned to the ground in a wildfire. Our previous home in Hawaii was threatened by increased numbers of hurricanes. We installed a solar water heater and PV panels which also powered our EV Leaf. This was only possible with help from Federal and State tax credits. After moving last year to Portland, OR we again installed PV thanks to tax credits. Even in the winter’s short, cloudy days the 6 panels significantly offset our electric usage. Helping ordinary citizens like
us use less carbon-emitting energy is a wise use of our tax incentives. We want to be able to participate in moderating climate change, and we want governmental policies to be meaningful and on target.
Thank you for your consideration,
Bev Ferguson
Excellent!
That MVP call was amazing!! WE need a recording of Maurice Mitchell's comments to play for all who wonder what they can do in this moment. Wow!
And LaTosha Brown always lifts me up w/ her singing and her message. I love her! When she said not to worry that Black Voters were bringing NC and GA, I teared up. Such passion and joy!
I already donated to MVP on the call this morning, but will make another smaller donation through your link as well.
Thank you Cindy! And OMG I've never heard LaTosha before. First of all--WHAT A VOICE! And also, what a voice!
She always starts her talks with a song! ❤️❤️❤️ she says there must always be joy in this work. ❤️❤️❤️
LOVE LaTosha Brown!!
This feels like a kairos moment. I've been in knots for the last 3 weeks, but woke up not feeling any anxiety whatsoever this morning. We're ready for this...
Amazing, isn't it?
Donated and thank you. I too am energized and squeal while listening to Harris’s speeches.
Thank you, Bev!
Thanks for sharing the toolkit! So much to brag about when it comes to Vice President Harris. As she said in her amazing rally. "When we fight, we win!"
Agree!
I donated to MVP. Thanks for your suggestions. Your advice is much appreciated.
Thank you, Monica!
Personalized and sent the letter and will donate to MVP once I am paid. When does the match end?
It doesn't really. Any time works!
Netanyahu gives war talk under cover in our Congress to try to keep himself out of an Israeli jail. A much more effective solution to Palestine/Israel and to End Putin's War is in a little amazon kindle paperback, "Every War Is An UnCivil War" 4th edition. Jan Nichols, a delegate, is going to carry it candidates at the Convention to use as a weapon on the campaign trail. Ike said "I will go to Korea". Kamala can say, 'I will go to Ukraine' and have a winning tool in her pocketbook. IMHO, she should have an open convention to select her veep! think of the excitement and attention for delegates, us, TV. Worth millions in free publicity. With the talent available she/we can't go wrong, but don't take a Senator we need in the Senate.
$250 donated to MVP. Thanks for the announcement
Really appreciate it, Sarah!
No more audio?
Jess wrote yesterday that her husband is out of town and she can't do it all as a solo parent! The audio will resume when he returns.
Actually, Mj is out of town, too. I can't do it as a solo me! I'm completely overwhelmed! 😅
I don’t understand why! 😄
I donated $36 to MVP. Thank you for introducing them to us.
Thank you so, so much, Lee! Means the world to me!
This is a great free website. I must find someway to reciprocate. If I do some writing about my past professional work, could I earn enough to keep getting this website?