Hi, all, and happy Wednresday!
Tick-tock.
The clock is ticking down in so many ways; it feels quite stressful. I have to continually remind myself that I can only do what I can do. It’s not my job to fix everything, to solve every problem, to make the GOP stop being corrupt or the Democrats stop being timid.
It IS my job to take a few small actions to try to help.
I’m not a religious person at all, but I do love the Serenity Prayer, which was written by theologian, ethicist, and commentator on politics and public affairs, Reinhold Niebuhr:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
Niebuhr's prayer originally asked for courage first, and specifically for changing things that must be changed, not things that simply can be changed:
Father, give us courage to change what must be altered, serenity to accept what cannot be helped, and the insight to know the one from the other.
I almost prefer the latter version. Courage first! There are lots of things that must be changed right now. I hope whatever power you believe in—even if just the power for good—gives you to courage to work to change a few of them today.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
[IF YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN SENATOR:] I demand that s/he vote immediately to raising the debt ceiling so that America does not default on its debt. Everyone loses if that happens. [H/T and more info]
[To all:]
I want the Senator to co-sponsor and support S.2297, the International Pandemic Preparedness and COVID-19 Response Act.
I also insist the Senator vote for the strong climate protection investments in the Build Back Better Act next week. Our very future depends on it--or the fires, droughts, floods, stronger hurricanes, and storms will only get worse. We can have a clean energy future for less than the cost of these disasters, and must stop all subsidies to polluting fossil fuel companies.
Finally, the Senate must pass the Freedom to Vote Act. [to Democrats only] Please reform the filibuster and get it done. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I want the Congressmember to vote for the strongest possible climate protection investments in the Build Back Better Act. Our very future depends on it--or the fires, droughts, floods, stronger hurricanes, and storms will only get worse. We can have a clean energy future for less than the cost of these disasters, and must stop all subsidies to polluting fossil fuel companies.
Also, I urge the Congressmember to support the Protecting Our Democracy Act (H.R. 5314). This bill is the best way to crack down on presidential abuses of power and foreign interference in our elections. It’s the best way to avoid a repeat of the last four years. Thanks. [H/T]
Finally, I’m calling to urge the Congressman to vote for BOTH the Khanna and Bowman amendments to end unconstitutional war in Yemen and Syria. Thanks! [H/T]
Extra Credit
Please post this on your social media:
President Biden is right.
We can fund crucial investments in working families, address the #climatecrisis & build an economy that works for ALL of us when the wealthy & corporations pay their fair share in taxes.
Let’s get it done! #RewardWorkNotWealth
https://americansfortaxfairness.org/call-house-bbb/
Chop Wood, Give Dollars? 💰
All, if any of you are in Los Angeles and available on October 3rd at 6:30 PM, pleeeease join me at an amazing fundraiser: Ballots Over Broadway…live! They’ll have some of the best singers in America performing on their stage. It’ll be super Covid safe (everyone must be vaxxed, masked when not eating or drinking, plus we'll be outside). Activist tickets are just $50, (that’s the one I bought), and include dinner, drinks, dessert, etc, so it's a pretty amazing deal. And the money goes to two AMAZING organizations: Field Team 6, which works to register Democrats in competitive House districts across the country, and DemocraShe, a non-partisan program that trains and empowers diverse female-identifying high school students, building the earliest pipeline of future female elected officials.
Not in L.A.? Consider buying a ticket and donating it for someone who can’t afford to go.
Tickets are at ballotsoverbroadway3.eventbrite.com, and activist tickets (which you all qualify for if you choose) will sell out so get them while you can!
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to all 3 reps] [H/T]
I am a constituent writing to urge you to stand firm and continue fighting for robust provisions in the Reconciliation Bill to lower prescription drug costs through Medicare-negotiated prices, add dental and vision benefits to Medicare, and expand access to home- and community-based care through Medicaid.
The Reconciliation Bill should:
Allow Medicare to directly negotiate drug prices
Allow drug importation from Canada
Limit the ability of drug companies to hike prices on existing drugs
Impose a cap on out-of-pocket spending for the Medicare prescription drug benefit
Speed approval of biosimilar and generic drugs & shorten the exclusivity period
It’s also imperative that you include in the Reconciliation Bill a provision that authorizes the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to issue and enforce common sense orders and directives, such as eviction moratoriums, in a national public health emergency to slow the spread of infectious disease.
Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess