Chop Wood, Carry Water 8/23

Aug 23, 2022

It always seems impossible until it's done.
Nelson Mandela

Hi, all, and happy Tuesday.

Remember when we were told that it was impossible for Democrats to overcome Joe Biden’s unpopularity, terrible inflation, and “historical trends” to prevail in the midterms?

Remember when it was impossible that we were going to pass climate legislation?

Remember when it was impossible that Chuck Schumer would outsmart Mitch McConnell?

Remember when it was impossible that Trump would be held accountable for his actions?

Yet all of those things have either been done, or are becoming immanently possible.

As Richard Bach once wrote, “Argue for your limitations and they become yours.”

True, indeed. So let’s stop doing it. Let us stop saying what’s impossible—especially since we’re so often wrong—and instead dream of a world, (one that is very much within view), in which Democrats expand their Senate majority and hold the House. A world in which they abolish the filibuster and pass legislation that’s broadly popular with Americans.

Legislation codifying the right to abortion.

Legislation bolstering unions.

Legislation protecting voting rights.

Legislation eliminating partisan gerrymandering.

Legislation getting aggressive on climate.

Legislation banning assault weapons.

Legislation legalizing marijuana.

I could go one, but you get the point. We lefties are negative folks. We tend to assume the worst will come to pass, and quite often it has. But right now we’re poised to win, and win big. Our only job? Stop arguing for our limitations.

That, and work our butts off.

So let’s do that again one more time.

Call Your Senators (find yours here)

(Yes, we’ve called about this already. Remember, REPETITION IS KEY! Please call again!)

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

I’m calling about Chuck Schumer's promise to Joe Manchin to attempt to pass so-called ‘permitting reform’ legislation in September. In reality, ‘permitting reform’ is code for a wishlist of Big Oil’s top priorities, and if passed, the bill would:

Greenlight the fracked gas Mountain Valley Pipeline by exempting it from necessary permits;
Gut the National Environmental Policy Act and other bedrock environmental laws, and;
Remove safeguards that have protected environmental justice communities for decades.

I'm asking the Senator to vocally oppose this dirty side deal and pressure Senator Schumer and Speaker Pelosi to stop this brazen giveaway to the fossil fuel industry. We’re in a climate emergency. We need to act like it. Thank you.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here)

(Yes, we’ve called about this already. Remember, REPETITION IS KEY! Please call again!)

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

Greenlight the fracked gas Mountain Valley Pipeline by exempting it from necessary permits;
Gut the National Environmental Policy Act and other bedrock environmental laws, and;
Remove safeguards that have protected environmental justice communities for decades.

I'm asking the Congressmember to vocally oppose this dirty side deal and pressure Senator Schumer and Speaker Pelosi to stop this brazen giveaway to the fossil fuel industry. We’re in a climate emergency. We need to act like it. Thank you.

Extra Credit ✅

The Biden-Harris administration has finally released a new proposed rule that takes major steps forward to protect LGBTQ+ people from health care discrimination. LGBTQ+ people—especially trans youth—have faced vicious attacks recently when it comes to legislation. Everyone should have access to safe and affirming medical care - and no one should ever have to face discrimination at the doctor’s office. During the public comment period, you can make a difference.

The new rule relates to Section 1557, which is the part of the Affordable Care Act that prohibits discrimination in health care. Discrimination is already illegal but this proposed rule helps strengthen protections and enforce the law.

Please s ay NO to discrimination and YES to health care for ALL. L eave a comment here on why you support the new rule—be sure to personalize slightly! [H/T]

Extra Extra Credit! ✅✅

One of my subscribers asked me for help with this—her friend is the general counsel for Lawyers Defending Democracy and they’re asking for help with this petition to President Biden to help Alex Vindeman’s twin brother, Eugene, be able to retire from the military with his pension. Won’t you all consider signing?

Get Smart! 📚

The State Power Series is a virtual event series co-hosted by Sister District and Vote Save America to start a conversation around the growing importance of states.

Each Tuesday night event will feature a panel of hosts from Crooked Media, political and legal experts, historians, elected officials and activists, moderated by Sister District’s co-founder, Gaby Goldstein, and Crooked Media’s senior political director, Shaniqua McClendon.

Tonight’s 8 – 9pm EDT event is entitled The Insurrection will be Decentralized – Election Subversion: The Role of State Legislatures in the Fight for our Democracy

This panel will explore how state legislatures play an outsized role in the future of our democracy—especially as the Supreme Court appears likely to thwart a constitutional challenge to this state power grab via the Independent State Legislature theory — taking up a case next term which would provide state legislatures with complete control over election administration.

Panelists: Brian Beutler, Crooked Media editor-in-chief and host of the podcast Positively Dreadful, Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Pennsylvania State Representative for the 181st Legislative District, and Dahlia Lithwick, senior editor at Slate and host of the podcast Amicus

It’s going to be great. Sign up here. [H/T]

Give 💰!

Blue Tent, an amazing organization devoted to helping progressives get the biggest bang for their buck when they donate, had this to say in this morning’s email about where to give now. I thought it merited quoting at length, as the groups they name are all SO GOOD, and the types of races they single out for support are so important:

First, you should prioritize voter mobilization and persuasion groups over candidates — since such work not only helps Democrats up and down the ballot in a given state but also builds power for the future. We explain this logic in our 2022 donor guidance memo. Our top recommendations so far are Movement Voter Project, Care in Action, and the Fairness Project. Other national groups to consider…include Working America, Rural Democracy Initiative, and Galvanize Action. You should also consider giving to state groups like LUCHA in Arizona. Keep in mind that the easiest way to give for grassroots work in a specific state is through the Movement Voter Project’s state funds.

Second, and speaking of states, you should focus your giving where the margins are thinnest and the possibility of electoral subversion is the greatest. Topping this scary list right now are Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Securing key offices in these states is an urgent “need,” whereas scoring upset victories in places like Florida, Texas, and Ohio is a “want.” Wealthy donors can finance both needs and wants. The rest of us should stick to needs.

Third, if you do want to give to candidates, which can make sense in some cases, be smart about it. As a general rule, avoid federal candidates and high–profile gubernatorial candidates — all of whom are likely to have plenty of money, as well as super PAC support. Blue Tent strongly recommends a small handful of candidates, including those running for must-win state attorney general and secretary of state offices. See our list here, with a few more recommendations still in the works.

Please consider sharing the above with anyone looking to give money. And please consider subscribing to Blue Tent. They’re so good at what they do.

Win Races! 🗳

Want to help Cheri Beasley win an open Senate seat in North Carolina? SHE CAN!! Here are some phone and texting opportunities for you. Please choose one and hop in!

Call for Cheri & NC Democrats: https://www.mobilize.us/blueunityin2022/event/474880/

Out of State Allies of Cheri & NC Dems Phonebank: https://www.mobilize.us/blueunityin2022/event/483754/

Women for Beasley Phonebank on Thursdays: https://www.mobilize.us/blueunityin2022/event/479447/

Women Working Wednesday Phonebank: https://www.mobilize.us/blueunityin2022/event/488159/

Text Bank for Cheri & Dems: https://www.mobilize.us/blueunityin2022/event/491659/

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

[to your Senators] [H/T] [Quick send text SIGN PUXRVF to 50409]

I am pleased that Senate Leader Schumer, along with Senators Cory Booker and Ron Wyden have released the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA) to end federal marijuana prohibition and support programs to expunge precious criminal records and support small businesses getting licensed in the emerging legal market. Now I want you to support it!

The federal criminalization of cannabis harms our communities. According to the most recent arrest data, an American is put into handcuffs for a marijuana offense every 90 seconds. Per the ACLU, Black Americans are nearly 4 times more likely to be arrested than their white counterparts, despite similar consumption rates.

Maintaining marijuana prohibition flies in the face of voters, who consistently support legalization. Majorities of Democratic, Independent, and Republican voters all support the legalization of marijuana. Where marijuana legalization has been on the ballot, it has won, often overwhelmingly.

In April, the House of Representatives already passed their own bill to legalize marijuana called the MORE Act, and much of that bill has been included in this new Senate effort. Building upon the progress of MORE, the CAOA includes enhanced provisions for highway safety, veterans healthcare, youth use prevention, and many other important public safety elements associated with comprehensive marijuana policy reform.

Legalization cannot wait. Please co-sponsor the CAOA and push for a vote on it as soon as possible. Thanks!

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

Talk tomorrow.

Jess

Chop Wood, Carry Water