Chop Wood, Carry Water 9/7
Some small part.
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday.
I hope you had a restful and pleasant long weekend. I know it’s hard to relax or feel celebratory with so many awful things happening, but it’s still important to enjoy small moments of joy with friends and family; I hope you managed to do so.
I know lots of you subscribe to Heather Cox Richardson’s newsletter, so have likely read her post from Monday about the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. (If you don’t follow her you can read it here.) I was moved and inspired by it, especially by the description of the amazing activism that resulted from such a horrific tragedy. It reminded me that even the worst events can result in some amount of good, if we determine that they will. As labor activist Frances Perkins said at the time:
“There is always a large horizon….[and] much to be done. It is up to you to contribute some small part to a program of human betterment for all time.”
Some small part. That’s all I’m required to contribute. Not everything. Not the whole solution.
Just some. Small. Part.
But that, I must do.
So I will. Thank you for contributing your small part as well.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m devastated to see that Texas’s awful voter suppression bill was signed into law this morning. What’s happening to voting rights in our country is heartbreaking, enraging, and utterly preventable. The Senate needs to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act now, or we will cease to be a functioning democracy. [If Democrat] The Democrats need to start acting like they hold all the power, which for the moment they do. Abolish the filibuster and get this done before it’s too late. Thanks.
Also? We’re in a full blown abortion crisis, and I’m frustrated that Congress is on recess. Please come back into session immediately and pass the Women’s Health Protection Act. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, we’re in a full blown abortion crisis, and I’m frustrated that the House is on recess. Please come back into session immediately and pass the Women’s Health Protection Act.
Second, I want Congress to pass strong legislation to address our climate and care economy crises. The Build Back Better Package should remain at 3.5 trillion and keep all of its current provisions. We either spend big now or the climate crisis and its accompanying economic costs will bankrupt us later. It’s that simple.
Extra Credit
Please post this on social media EVERYWHERE YOU CAN. (the tags I use below are for Twitter. If you post elsewhere you will have to add tags for that platform, sorry.)
[You can also/or RT my tweet here, share my FB post here, or share my IG post here.]
Per @JuddLegum, the top corporate donors to the #TexasGOP are @ATT, @WeAreFarmers, @GetSpectrum, @USAA, @UHC, @anthemgame, @GM, @CVSHealth & @StateFarm.
These companies need to disavow the #TexasAbortionBan & its backers, or lose our business. Period.
[attach the link to this article 👇🏼]
Get on the Phones! ☎️
Ya’ll we are ONE WEEK OUT from the Recall election and I am running a phonebank todaaaaaay! 3-5 PM PDT. Can. You. Come?
The need for this to be not just a victory but a rout cannot be overemphasized. Please. Join us. Sign up here.
It’s a Climate Emergency! 🌍
This week, on Thursday, Sept 9th, I am joining Climate Changemakers' HOUR OF ACTION.
Last month they had folks writing emails to their elected officials about clean energy standards!! A totally wonky topic that they explained quickly and clearly. I swear, they had folks writing within 20 minutes.
I don’t know what they have on the docket for us this month, but whatever it is, I'm in. I hope you are too. The planet is burning and flooding all around us. How can you say no? Sign up now here.
[H/T Hang Out Do Good]
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to all 3 reps] [H/T]
I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to end fossil fuel handouts. Corporate polluters receive billions in direct federal subsidies each year. I don’t want my tax dollars lining the pockets of the executives who are responsible for the pollution of our planet and communities.
As a constituent, I am urging you to support the inclusion of provisions to end direct subsidies such as those laid out in the End Polluter Welfare Act in the upcoming budget reconciliation package. We need you to invest in our communities, not the industries that pollute our communities.
I am counting on you to please act now: if you have not, please publicly declare your support for ending all fossil fuel subsidies and move forward to secure the passage of this legislation as soon as possible. And if you have declared your support: thank you.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess