Chop Wood, Carry Water 9/25
Hi, all, and happy Monday!
I know it’s a holiday for some of you, so g’mar chatima tova to those of you observing Yom Kippur.
As always, there’s lots to worry about in the news. The Republicans grow more venal by the day; mainstream media is flailing; anxiety-provoking headlines are everywhere. It’s stressful—of that there is no question.
But here’s what I try to remember: today we’re OK. Today we know what we need to do and have the ability to do it. Today we’re in the majority, gaining strength, and winning elections. Today we’re strong. Today we’re unified.
Let’s let that be enough to power us through another 24 hours.
After all, what did Albert Einstein say? “A happy man is too satisfied with the present to dwell too much on the future.”
Right. Let’s stay in the day, do what we can, and trust that we’ll be ready to deal with whatever the future brings…when we get there.
You’re stronger than you think. Never forget it.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
[If you have a Democratic Senator:]
I’m calling to ask the Senator to call on Bob Menendez to resign. Senator Menendez is deeply corrupt—he has been for a long time. But there is now overwhelming proof of it; he doesn’t belong in elected office at all, let alone in the U.S. Senate. Democrats have to show that we’re better than Republicans; they may tolerate and even embrace corruption, but we can’t. Every Democrat needs to be on record calling for Menendez to resign. I look forward to hearing that the Senator has done so. Thanks.
[If you have a Republican Senator:]
I’m calling the ask the Senator to push Tommy Tuberville to lift his blockade of military promotions. I’m glad Senator Schumer went around it to confirm three top commanders last week, but we can’t do that for everyone he’s blocking. Senator Tuberville is weakening American military readiness and making us look inept on the world stage. He’s also making every Republican look soft on defense. Is that how the Senator wants to be seen? If not I suggest s/he put pressure on Tuberville to stop blocking military promotions now. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
[If GOP] I’m calling to ask House Republicans to return to DC and pass a budget immediately. Republicans made an agreement with President Biden back in May. Spending levels were set. The cuts Republicans are now asking for are a betrayal of that agreement. They’re also harmful to families, seniors, and working people, and would be damaging to our economy. Republicans are coming across as inept, chaotic, and unable to govern. If they can’t pass a budget this week then perhaps they should step back and allow Democrats to do so. Thanks.
[If Democrat] I’m calling to ask Democrats to hold the line in the budget negotiations. Please don’t allow Republicans to make the cuts they’re asking for. I support programs that help families, seniors, and working people. I support climate funding. I absolutely support funding Ukraine. I support disaster funding for Maui and other places that need it. I know Republicans want to defund all of that and it’s not OK. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
President Biden has announced that he will join striking UAW workers on the picket line this week. I think it’s really important to thank him for this and encourage him to keep standing with unions.
So please either copy and paste the below, edit it as you like, and then send it to President Biden via the White House contact form, or, if you’re fine with it as is, text SIGN PLZXTF to 50409 to send it as a Resistbot.
I just heard that President Biden will join striking UAW workers on the picket line this week. I want to thank him. This will send a powerful message to working people across the nation that they have an ally in the White House. Please continue to take every opportunity to show why you are the most pro-union President in my lifetime. We’ve got your back. Thanks.
[H/T More Perfect Union]
Get Smart! 📚
On Wednesday, Sept. 27th at 7:00pm ET, Big Tent is hosting democracy cheer-leaders (and friends of the newsletter) Simon Rosenberg (of
) and Robert Hubbell (of ) for a conversation about the state of our democracy and the growth of our pro-democracy coalition. It’s sure to be a stellar conversation—I’d even call it “don’t-miss.”Spread the Word! 📣
THIS IS SO COOL!
Polls consistently show that most Americans are unaware of the accomplishments of Democrats and the Biden Administration, and we all know how difficult it is to break through the right wing echo chamber that distorts so much of our political discourse. Even within Democratic and progressive circles, we frequently find voters who may not be getting news of what Democrats have achieved for the American people. This information gap imperils our ability to boost Democratic turnout, persuade independent voters, and win close elections.
That’s why Activate America has decided to launch an opt-in messaging bulletin they’re calling Amplify. Amplify will include a few talking points on key issues in the news, social media you can share, and often additional ways you and others can take action to help elect Democrats this election cycle.
If you’d like to receive these supplemental communications, please opt-in HERE. They will send no more than a few every month. They sent the first one yesterday and it was excellent!
Give 💰!
Whoooo! FOCUS FOR DEMOCRACY is holding their opening fundraising event for the 2024 election cycle this coming Thursday Sept 28th at 4 pm Pacific/7 pm Eastern. I urge you to attend if you can.
The Focus for Democracy team has been funding “vote-generating” activist groups since 2017. They choose only groups that demonstrate solid, data-driven results. F4D showcases the smartest, most cost-effective strategies that aren’t getting funded—but should be.
The Focus team has raised tens of millions of dollars to promote and protect democracy. Join them this Thursday night. Spend an hour—I promise you’ll be impressed, inspired, and energized.
Win Races—TEXT! 🗳️
Like texting? Want to help win elections and support racial justice? Register for Texting Tuesdays with Black Voters Matter! Learn about their latest text campaigns while taking action. Be sure to join their Texting Group on Signal, too, to stay up to date on all things Texting with BVM.
Win Races—CALL! 🗳
Virginians started voting on Friday! Eek! That means every day from now until November 7 is Election Day AND every day from now until November 7 is the perfect opportunity to join a phonebank. Sister District has got just the one for you!
All week, Sister District is celebrating the start of Early Vote with their Get Out The Early Vote Week of Action, featuring tons of special guests! Check out their star studded line up and sign up to make calls with these critical candidates!
Travis Nembhard: Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 6PM ET
Phil Hernandez: Thursday, Sept. 28 at 4PM ET
Lashrecse Aird: Friday, Sept. 29 at 11AM ET
But there are phonebanks pretty much every day of the week. We need all hands on deck for Virginia, all. I can’t overstate the importance of this election! Please join us!
Win RACES — WRITE! 🗳
Postcards to Swing States has 139,000 postcards left to reach their goal of sending 883,000 postcards to help rally Democrats to vote in 42 key legislative districts in Virginia on November 7! Please sign up now to help them finish the job. You must provide your own cards.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[to all 3 reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PXSVSF to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
I am writing today as your constituent to urge you to pass the Break the Cycle of Violence Act (H.R 5003/S. 2638).
Every 11 minutes, there’s a fatal shooting in the United States. That is unacceptable. This public health crisis is destroying families and costing our nation $557 billion every year, in addition to the emotional cost of not having loved ones home safe and sound.
Our communities are hurting. We need to do everything we can to stop the violence before it happens.
The Break the Cycle of Violence Act would provide federal grants for community violence intervention programs that are proven to reduce gun violence. These programs foster collaboration between residents and officials to address neighborhoods’ unique needs. They expand economic opportunities to communities facing hardships and engage individuals at the highest risk of being affected by violence, thus breaking the cycle.
Despite these programs having existed in communities across the country for years and demonstrating success, they continue to experience inadequate funding. By passing the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, you can save lives and ensure more communities are free from gun violence. Please support this legislation now. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Following your lead, I’ve started a new practice this morning. Whenever I make a comment or respond to a comment (NYT or WaPo… I know I should just quit the subscription…), I am adding a Good New about Biden. Used one of yours for starters. “ President Biden issued an Executive Order to protect people in East Palestine, Ohio and nearby communities, and continue to hold Norfolk Southern accountable.”
I don’t do social media so this is my drop in the bucket. (I will be most cautious in how I do this…)
I wanted to make sure that everyone saw this great article in today’s New York Times about The States Project where many of us have Giving Circles! This will help in encouraging future donors:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/us/politics/states-project-democrats.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare