Chop Wood, Carry Water 9/8
Hi, all, and happy Friday!
I got an email from a subscriber yesterday containing one simple, plaintive sentence:
Very discouraging CNN poll this week showing Biden’s poll numbers going way down, even among Dems.
That was it. No greeting, no question, no sign off.
I felt this person’s worry coming through the airwaves, and I wished I could reach out and hug them. Instead I’m responding here.
Y’all, I know the news is packed with reasons for worry. I know poll numbers are flying thick and fast, just as they started to do a year before the midterms, and with equally dire predictions. I know that Biden’s age is, for reasons I frankly can’t fathom, a trending topic. I know we are all exhausted, and dispirited, and weakened by the toxins of constant anxiety.
I know all of that, and I am telling you that the answer, for me at least, is in taking simple, focussed, needed actions anyway.
That last word, “anyway,” carries a lot of weight here. It’s a word of faith, of hope, and of stubborn determinedness. It’s a word requiring stamina we don’t always think we have, but that we must find. It reminds us that we live in an atmosphere of maximum noise, but minimum certainty. We have no idea what will happen in the next day, let alone in 423 days. We don’t know who our candidates will be, what seismic political events will have shifted the terrain, how the economy will look, or what “acts of God” will have taken place in the interim. We have absolutely no clue, in short, what will actually happen when early voting begins next year.
What do we know? We know that over and over again we’ve been told we were going to lose, then gone on to win. We know that polls are not only largely useless, but often weaponized. We know that our enemies, both foreign and domestic, are waging a relentless psychological war to wear us down and undermine our confidence.
We know, further, that most Americans clearly see the danger our democracy is in. They see the MAGA movement as an existential threat. They’re deeply worried about climate change. They’re frantic about gun violence. They’re furious about the Supreme Court. They’re apoplectic about abortion. They loath the unfettered power granted to billionaires and corporations. They hate attacks on LGBTQ people. They know the stakes. And they are VOTING over them in record numbers.
We need to trust in what we know, not what we fear.
So let’s focus on our feet, asking “what actions can I take today to improve our situation?” There are so many to choose from! We have budgets to pass, bills to support, and, most importantly, elections to win NOW.
So here’s my best advice:
Every time you see a new scary poll, sign up for another phonebanking shift.
Every time someone says that Biden is too old, order another 25 postcards.
Every time the news offers another false equivalency, register another voter.
See where I’m going with this?
Let’s feel the anxiety if we must, but also try not to spread it. Instead let’s do the work and encourage others to do the same. Yes, we’re scared. Doesn’t matter. All that matters is what we do.
Our deeds, not the polls, determine our future. Never forget it.
And act accordingly.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’d like the Senator to co-sponsor and actively work to pass S.2327 - the Afghan Adjustment Act, legislation that would give a pathway to legal status for thousands of newly arrived Afghans in the US and provide support for many at-risk Afghans that were left behind. This bill has support from both sides of the aisle and ought to be passed as part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Will the Senator make this a prioroty?
One more thing: what is the Senator doing to get Tommy Tuberville to lift his reckless blockade of military promotions? He’s endangering our national security and I expect the Senator to give him hell for it. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I want the Congressmember to support H.R. 4423, the Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act. This proposal has strong bipartisan support, with two-thirds of Americans across all political affiliations approving of term limits. Passing this bill, along with a strong code of ethics, would improve public trust in our highest court, which is currently at an all-time low. Please get it done. Thank you. [H/T]
Extra Credit ✅
Ozone pollution is dangerous. Let’s use Moms Clean Air Force’s tool to tell the EPA we can’t delay strengthening current ozone standards.
As usual, it’s always best if you personalize the comment slightly. Even one or two sentences makes a difference.
Get Smart! 📚
Reclaiming the Virginia State House this November
September 12, Tuesday, 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET
This info session / fundraiser promises to be excellent—I love Airlift and think the work they do is invaluable.
Come hear Dan Pfeiffer, Senior Advisor to President Obama, Pod Save America co-host, and author of the excellent Substack
, explain what’s at stake in Virginia and nationally this November. No donation required to attend.Spread the Word! 📣
This new Biden ad is REALLY strong. Please share it.
And while you’re at it, please share this new David Brooks Op-Ed: The American Renaissance Is Already at Hand. Great stuff!
Chop Wood, Save the Planet! 🔥
Plastic. It’s killing us. It’s also a fossil fuel product that can’t safely be recycled.
Here’s a four-minute video about the problem—please share it!
Then please consider your purchases. Where can you cut plastic out? Investing in a sustainable alternative to single-use sandwich bags is an easy place to start. Dropps dish and laundry pods are also great (here’s a 30% off code. They’re what I use.) Buying lettuce in whole heads instead of in plastic boxes, giving up plastic water bottles, using your local refill store…there are so many ways to make a dent in the problem! If you’ve got other great ideas or products please drop them in the comments!
None of us can avoid plastic completely, but ALL of us can and should reduce our usage if we’re to truly get off of fossil fuels and create a circular economy.
Win Races! 🗳
Have I mentioned that I’ve created a document listing every active postcarding campaign that I know of? Please find one that works for you and sign up! And share the doc widely!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[to all 3 reps] [H/T] [Quick send: text SIGN PPCMJZ to 50409]
As a constituent, I am deeply concerned about media reports regarding House Republicans plans for the Federal Budget.
Of particular concern to me and other Americans of good conscience are the House Republican proposals to decimate Food and Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); education and job training funding; justice programs and support for the vulnerable; programs designed to impact climate change and protect clean water; and opportunities for immigrants.
I urge lawmakers not to take any actions that would allow children to go hungry, our water to become undrinkable, workers and low-income Americans to suffer, or those seeking asylum to lack opportunities. Budgets are moral documents, and I ask that you remember the least amongst us when you are negotiating and voting on our next Federal Budget. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Hi Jess,
Great message today and great advice. I used to watch CNN almost exclusively, but haven't watched a minute of it since they did the town hall with Felonious Trump. I thought that maybe getting rid of Chris Licht would bring them back to the center, but I guess not. Now my go-to station is MSNBC, but I'm finding some of their coverage a bit wearing too. Too much speculation and not enough real analysis. Bottom line, we need to respond to every provocation as you suggest. We need a massive BLUE WAVE to wash away the toxic RED TIDE!
I'm with you Jessica! The "polls" are being used to stoke fear & we all know, especially at this point, that they are useless. Ignore & don't give them oxygen. Focus on what we CAN do! Tomorrow I'm knocking doors for Andy Beshear in a Louisville KY area where doors don't get knocked very often. The next day I'm knocking EVERY door with our team of volunteers in an apartment complex that is home to people who work so hard to make it from day to day. The last time we did this we were able to inform a person that his voting rights had been restored & we were able to get him registered to vote. The look on his face, of dignity being restored, is something that keeps me going & doing what I do. For my 70th birthday, I'll be doing what I did last year...inviting a few of my bestest political activist buddies & spreading out in my neighborhood to knock doors for the entire Democratic executive office ticket..from Gov Beshear to the most amazing Attorney General candidate, Colonel Pamela Stevenson!. Of course we'll have food, libations & cake afterward! I challenge all the September & October birthday activists to do the same! Thanks for your words of hope & action.