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11/28/17

 

Contact Federal Government Officials

Find senator’s contact info here: https://goo.gl/RLiotu

Find representative’s contact info here: https://goo.gl/5i7SXC

Fax legislators for free:  Reps:  https://faxzero.com/fax_congress.php

We can also contact our MoCs via ResistBot:  https://resistbot.io/

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Many newspapers, including New York Times and Washington Post require subscriptions, but without one we can see a few articles each month.  We can also check with our local libraries to find out how to get online access through them.

1.      Maybe we are tired.  Maybe we are busy with holiday plans.  Maybe we are just fed up.  But, this tax bill will hurt so very many people that we have to make the extra effort to be just as diligent opposing it as we were the healthcare bill.  This tax bill will likely hurt people we know and love.  This bill gives permanent tax breaks to the wealthy and to corporations.  It does not help small businesses or non-wealthy people, in fact it hurts more than originally thought and it adds $1.5 Trillion to the deficit which will cut Medicare, agricultural subsidies, student loan programs and many other programs that benefit so many. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/27/senate-gop-tax-bill-would-hit-lower-income-americans-most-cbo-report.html  In addition to calling senators, let’s see what else we can do using Invidisible’s TrumpTaxScam page:  https://www.trumptaxscam.org/, especially the tool to call voters in crucial states encouraging them to contact their senators:  https://www.trumptaxscam.org/calls-to-kill-the-tax-scam/

2.      Even more specific, the Congressional Budget Office released its latest report on the Senate tax bill this past Sunday, and here’s the verdict according to the Washington Post: “The Senate Republican tax plan gives substantial tax cuts and benefits to Americans earning more than $100,000 a year, while the nation’s poorest would be worse off, according to a report released Sunday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. . . . Republicans are aiming to have the full Senate vote on the tax plan as early as this week, but the new CBO analysis showing large, harmful effects on the poor may complicate those plans.”  By 2019, those earning less than $30K would be worse off; by 2021, those making $40K or less would be net losers; and by 2027, most people earning less than $75K, would be worse off—and the big beneficiaries would be those with incomes from $100-500K: 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/11/26/senate-gop-tax-bill-hurts-the-poor-more-than-originally-thought-cbo-finds/  And, of course, those with less income will also be hardest hit when Republicans decide to cut the programs on which they depend in order to reduce the inevitable budget deficit.  We need to impress on our senators that to doubly penalize those with the fewest resources is not acceptable to us.  Let's CALL our senators now!

3.      The Senate has not yet announced whether its tax bill will, like that of the House, repeal the 1954 Johnson Amendment.  That amendment—albeit rarely enforced— threatens religious organizations and charities with loss of their tax-exempt status if they endorse or oppose political candidates.  Were it repealed, we should expect a dramatic increase in untraceable political spending and the creation of “sham churches” to take advantage of this new avenue for political spending; unlike donations to candidates, “super PACs” and party committees, these contributions to churches and charities would be tax-deductible.  According to the NY Times, “Thousands of religious leaders, as well as groups and denominations like the United Methodist Church, the National Council of Churches and the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, say rolling back the Johnson Amendment would be the biggest threat to the stability and mission of their organizations in a generation.”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/10/tax-bills-repeal-johnson-amendment-could-cost-taxpayers-more-than-1-billion/852554001/  Do we really want to grant tax-exempt non-profit status to churches and charities that serve as conduits for political spending?  Let’s make sure our senators know that we want the Johnson Amendment to stand as is.

4.      Trump and the GOP are still rushing towards a vote on their Reverse Robin Hood tax bill, but they may be in trouble. They can only lose two Republican votes, and Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) have already said they oppose the legislation in its current form (http://time.com/5038387/republican-tax-bill-senate-critics/), but the bill is still evolving. Let’s keep the pressure on! We can text bank to push voters in key states to contact their members of Congress in opposition to the tax scam with MoveOn at this link, and do the same via phone with Indivisible or the ACA Defenders.

5.      This is the conclusion of Sarah Kendzior’s newest piece in The Globe and Mail about net neutrality: “And here we lie at the interconnected horror of the Trump administration's autocratic maneuvers. Consider this scenario for 2018: The repeal of net neutrality will stem the flow of information, making voter suppression harder to document. The packing of the courts will make the voter suppression that is documented harder to challenge. And the long-standing solution to purveyors of unpopular policies – vote them out – will be, by definition, impossible, since the election is rigged and the rigging uncontestable. This carefully constructed web of repression is how democracy dies.”:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/gutting-net-neutrality-is-a-death-knell-for-the-resistance/article37088279/ Clearly, this is a big issue. Let’s each please reach out to at least five people today to ask them to be in touch with the FCC Commissioners who have not come out against repealing net neutrality: The five FCC commissioners will cast the deciding vote December 14 on this essential issue.  The two women on the FCC have come out as No votes. We need only to convince ONE of the other members to flip to a No vote to save Net Neutrality:  A) Ajit Pai:202-518-7399 / email: Ajit.Pai@fcc.gov/ Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC, B) Michael O'Rielly: 301-657-9092 / email: mike.o’rielly@fcc.gov Twitter @mikeofcc, and C) Brendan Carr: 202-719-7305/ email: Brendan.Carr@fcc.gov/ Twitter: @BrendanCarrFCC

6.      We cannot stop at contacting the FCC commissioners, because large swathes of the fabric of our democracy are now digital, we must end political deadlock on the issue of net neutrality and urge our MoCs to stand with Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) in calling for bipartisan legislation to require equal access to all internet content. Failing to do so could bring dire consequences, and soon. "Consider this scenario for 2018: The repeal of net neutrality will stem the flow of information, making voter suppression harder to document. The packing of the courts will make the voter suppression that is documented harder to challenge. And the long-standing solution to purveyors of unpopular policies – vote them out – will be, by definition, impossible, since the election is rigged and the rigging uncontestable. This carefully constructed web of repression is how democracy dies." 

7.      The Clean Power Plan has been repealed by Trump, et al.  https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/04/trump-vs-the-climate-the-fights-only-just-starting/  However, the EPA is still seeking comments regarding the repeal. There will be a public hearing November 28th-29th in West Virginia and public comments on the repeal will be accepted until January 16th, 2018. Let's make sure that we leave a comment to voice our opposition to the repeal, and support the continuation of the Clean Power Plan: 

8.      Let's not forget that Congress has STILL not renewed CHIP. "CHIP provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid yet still cannot afford insurance. In some states, CHIP covers pregnant women. Each state offers CHIP coverage, and works closely with its state Medicaid program." https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/childrens-health-insurance-program/ Today in CO: "The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (Department) began sending informational letters to Children’s Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members advising them to start researching private health insurance options. Federal funding for the program ended on September 30, 2017. Colorado has sufficient funds to operate the CHP+ program until January 31, 2018; today’s letter is intended to urge CHP+ members to be prepared in the event the federal government fails to reinstate funding." https://www.colorado.gov/hcpf/news/families-begin-receiving-letters-future-chp There are 9 million children nationwide covered under CHIP. Let's tell our MoCs that they need to renew CHIP funding and ensure these children will continue to have health insurance! 

9.      While current law specifies work-related breastfeeding practices, the wording is such that it includes only hourly workers.  Senator Merkley and Representative Maloney have introduced the Support Working Moms Act, which would amend the Fair Labor Act to include break time for nursing mothers who are salaried executive, administrative, and professional employees, including teachers.  This legislation would be essential for health policy and mothers in the workplace http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/swma Let's call our MoC and ask that they support S. 2122/H.R. 3255. We can also use WeTweet's tool to send a message on Twitter: 

10.  Here are two more ways to make our thoughts about net neutrality known:  A) Call the FCC's customer service number at 888-225-5322. Leave a message with the simply saying you oppose any effort to weaken net neutrality, and B)  Step 1: Go to gofccyourself.com, Step 2: Click "express" (over to the right), Step 3: Tell the FCC that you support Net Neutrality

11.  From Postcards for America:   The National Park Service has extended the public comment period on  raising the peak-season entrance fee proposal until December 22, 2017.  https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/11-21-2017-fee-proposal.htm  We can comment here:  https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?documentID=83652

12.  We were already disturbed by Secretary of State Tillerson’s failure to fill key roles in the State Department, but now we’ve learned that he has fired “most of the department's leading African-American and Latino diplomats.” http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/361783-state-department-wracked-by-departures-under-trump-report Let’s contact the State Department (https://register.state.gov/contactus/contactusform or 202-647-4000 or U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520) and our MoC to protest the dwindling numbers in the State Department and the increasing lack of diversity.

13.  The longest lasting effect of any presidency is the appointment of federal judges and Trump is filling the federal courts with ideologues, many of whom are unqualified for the bench. Because federal judges have life tenure, Trump has the ability to shape the federal courts for decades to come and many of his picks are deeply disturbing. There were more than 100 vacancies when Trump assumed office, more than twice the number when President Barack Obama was inaugurated. This is because Republicans had refused to confirm Obama’s nominees during his last two years in office. An additional 60 vacancies have opened in the last 10 months. It is estimated that even if he serves only one term, Trump will have selected about 30 percent of the federal judges in the country. Let's read more at The Sacramento Bee.  Let's continue to contact our own Senators about unqualified nominees and we can also contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

14.  Case in point, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing this week on David Stras, Trump’s nominee to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and in the process will overturn the century-old “blue slip” tradition which has curbed extremist judges from getting lifetime appointments. They’ll do so on behalf of a reactionary conservative who has ruled against the rights of workers, children with disabilities and sexual assault survivors (http://www.startribune.com/senate-will-proceed-with-hearing-for-minnesota-appellate-nominee/458099463/). If we’re represented by a Senator on the Judiciary Committee, let’s contact them and let them know that moving forward with this hearing is unacceptable and part of a continuing assault on a nonpartisan judiciary. And we can all contact our senators and let them know that if Chuck Grassley succeeds in ramming Stras through, we want them to oppose his confirmation. We can find more info and talking points from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights at this link.  

15.  While others in the federal government are willingly taking part in ethics investigations regarding allegations of sexual misconduct, in case we've forgotten, here's the list of women who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct. Let's continue to tell our MoC's that we want an ethics' investigation into Trump's behavior. We can write to the six member Senate Ethics' Committee at 220 Hart Building, Washington, DC 20510 or call (202) 224-2981.

16.  Schumer cited the rising popularity of home genetic kits and ancestry services, such as Ancestry, 23andMe and MyHeritage, and said some of their terms-of-service agreements weren't clear on just what companies could do with your genetic information. Here's what many consumers don't realize, that their sensitive information can end up in the hands of unknown third-party companies," he said. "There are no prohibitions, and many companies say that they can still sell your information to other companies." The senator said he was calling on the Federal Trade Commission to "take a serious look at this relatively new kind of service and ensure that these companies can have clear, fair privacy policies." https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/amp/senator-calls-more-scrutiny-home-dna-test-industry-n824031.  Many of us use these services for searching out family connections for genealogy, and adoptees searching for bio families. We all deserve to have rights over our own DNA.  Let’s support this action and thank Senator Schumer. 

Election 2017/2018

1.      Postcards to Voters is in the final stretch of writing get-out-the-vote postcards for Democrat Doug Jones in Alabama. Jones' challenger is extremist and accused pedophile Roy Moore. If we have not yet written five (5) postcards to Doug Jones, let's consider joining the Postcards to Voters team now. Volunteers across the country have already written over 100,000 postcards but 50,000 addresses remain. Election day is Dec. 12 so time is of the essence. Creativity is not required! We can use any old postcards we have, buy the pre-stamped ones, cut our own. Whatever it takes! Postcards to Voters provides the "script" for us to write and the voter addresses. To get started, click here OR send an email to:
join@TonyTheDemocrat.org OR text HELLO to ABBY The Address Bot at 1-484-ASK-ABBY (which is 1-484-275-2229) Let's support the cause by writing 5 postcards.

2.      Trump’s election has galvanized the progressive movement, including bringing in many people who’ve never been politically active before. In November 2018, we’ll have the chance to channel this surge of activism into winning back the House of Representatives. Let's check out Swing Left's Guide to Taking Back the House. Swing Left’s plan is to direct the massive energy of the Left to the places and actions that will have the most impact in the midterm elections.  Three (3) key tactics that anyone can do to help flip the House, no matter where we live: 1) Voter Contact: Ultimately, we’ll win by getting more Swing District voters who share our values to vote on Election Day, and nothing is more effective at turning out voters than face-to-face conversations. 2) Grassroots Fundraising: Nominees usually emerge from primaries cash poor, while their incumbent opponent has been amassing funds for years. That’s why we’re raising as much money as early as possible, to give the Democratic challengers to Swing District Republicans a running start. 3) Cultural Mobilization: Midterm elections typically don’t get the attention they deserve. Our goal is to get everyone talking about the midterms in ways that inspire action—and ensure the elections stay top of mind, all year long. We Rogan's Listers understand the importance of starting our work for the 2018 Elections now. Let's start talking to voters about 2018 now by finding out about and discussing the records of our own incumbent legislators who will be up for re-election.

3.      These folks found a clever way to make an impact in a red area while they live in a blue area.  It is called “Eat to Unseat”.  In their words, “Recently, I had an idea. What if we gather friends together for a potluck dinner once a month, or every two months, or whenever we can fit it in. Then, we find a Democrat somewhere in the U.S. who is trying to unseat a Republican and donate funds to their campaign that we would have spent going out for dinner. Or a Democrat at risk of losing their seat to a Republican. You get the idea. Let's change the balance of power as soon as we can!  I like the idea because I love sharing a meal with friends, and it feels like something strategic we could do together that might make a difference.”  We can learn more about how we can do this, too, here:  https://www.facebook.com/EatToUnseat/

State Actions

1.      FL:  If we are Floridians, we can now register to vote on-line. Let's check out registertovoteflorida.org. Here's an article from the Tampa Bay Times if we want more background information. Florida has a partisan gerrymandering problem (article Jacksonville Business Journal). If we are are non-party affiliated voters registering for the first time or updating our information, let's consider registering as Republicans. What we register as does not affect who we vote for or give money to. This will allow us to vote in Republican primaries (Florida has closed primaries) and help make future partisan gerrymandering ineffective.

2.      FL: If we are Floridians, let's check out the 103 proposals for changing the Florida constitution in this Sun-Sentinel article. The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) convenes only once every 20 years and is a historic opportunity for Floridians. Florida is the only state in the nation that offers this unique process with high-level input from citizens. Through the CRC, Floridians can speak directly before Commissioners and propose constitutional amendments that could potentially go onto Florida’s 2018 General Election ballot for voter consideration. We can get involved, including submitting comments and contacting the commissioners, by using the resources at Florida Constitutional Revision Commission.

3.      OH:  More than a quarter of Ohio’s registered voters didn’t cast ballots last year. And for some of them, that could have been one inactive election too many. Ohio has been removing voters who haven’t cast ballots over a period of six years – unless they contact their board of elections during that time. It’s a process that’s at the center of a U.S. Supreme Court case expected to be argued early next year. If we are Ohioans who skipped voting in any elections, let's check on our registration information by searching here (Ohio Sec. of State site) and encourage our fellow Ohioans to do the same. To update our information or to register to vote in Ohio, we can print and use this Voter Registration and Information Update form and send it in to our local county Board of Elections.  Ohio does not have on-line registration. 

4.      OR:  Huge budget cuts crippled outreach that lets people know when,  how and where to sign up for the ACA, so Indivisible ACA Signup Project is spreading the word through social media.  They have 2 days to get 14 more supporters.  We can them reach their goal by Dec1 to set off a Thunderclap, a social media flash mob message blast. First, we can click, add our social media support on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr.  THEN cut, paste and share:

5.      WA: Huge budget cuts crippled outreach that lets people know when,  how and where to sign up for the ACA, so Indivisible ACA Signup Project is spreading the word through social media.  They have 2 days to get 14 more supporters.  We can help them reach their goal by Dec1 to set off a Thunderclap, a social media flash mob message blast. First, we can click, add our social media support on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr.  THEN cut, paste and share:

Other Actions

1.      From one of our own:  During his speech at an event on Monday honoring the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II, Trump referred to Sen. Elizabeth Warren as Pocahontas.  http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/361990-trump-calls-warren-pocahontas-at-event-honoring-native-american  While he did not think it was an inappropriate or racist, we do.  Let’s send the Navajo Code Talkers Association our respect, thanks, and apologies at Navajo Code Talkers Association, Navajo Code Talkers Foundation, Inc., PO Box 1266, Window Rock, AZ 86515 / Tel: 928-688-5202 / Fax: 928-688-5204 / website:

2.      Women's March is planning a creative action in NYC on 12/2 to raise awareness and put pressure on Congress to pass a clean #DreamActNow. The action requires a specific amount of participants. If you or someone you know would like to participate, please sign up here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpW7Du0Qpai0hsLyQCBB2ilCiPbIQA5ocNRkAtW2d0bFND8Q/viewform

3.      Duty to Protect & Herd on the Hill are delivering copies of the book "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President" & constituent letters to US Senators.  Bill Moyers interviewed America’s leading psychohistorians, Robert  Jay Lifton who wrote the forward:   http://billmoyers.com/story/dangerous-case-donald-trump-robert-jay-lifton-bill-moyers-duty-warn/  We can be included as signatories, by signing here BEFORE November 29, 2017: https://goo.gl/forms/p7tZyEkru6rEl8Jh1

4.      Here are some ready to tweet Tweetsheets on the tax bill from #TheResistance Tweetsheets.  We can sign up for their weekly tweetsheets.  https://resistancetweetsheets.wordpress.com/2017/11/27/theresistance-tweetsheets-post-thanksgiving-pot-luck/

5.      According to the AARP, 64% of workers aged 55 and over report age discrimination in the workplace. https://twitter.com/AARP/status/923527133695266817 Let’s educate ourselves—and our older friends and family—about age discrimination and what we can do to fight it https://www.aarp.org/work/employee-rights/info-02-2009/age_discrimination_fact_sheet.html

6.      Time magazine has been sold to an entity backed by the right-wing Koch brothers. http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42133002 Let’s keep our eye on deals like this as we monitor the quality of the news we’re receiving.

Petitions

1.      Let’s sign Sen. Kamala Harris’s petition to the FCC to keep net neutrality:  https://pac.petitions.moveon.org/sign/tell-the-fcc-to-preserve

2.      Let’s also sign Sen. Maggie Hassan’s petition to GOP senators letting them know we do not want this tax bill:  http://act.maggiehassan.com/page/s/stop-the-gop-tax-bill

Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize

1.      Time is running out for DACA recipients, as Congress fails to pass any meaningful legislation to protect DREAMers http://politi.co/2jLpc0T While it is important to keep calling our MoC, we must also make sure that we are showing up in person to add to the pressure to pass a clean DREAM Act. Our Dream, a collaborative campaign focused on passing the DREAM Act, is asking that we sign up to host sit-ins at our MoC offices on December 4th and 5th. Let's sign up and stand up for our DREAMers https://actionnetwork.org/forms/fight-for-our-dream

2.      Not One Penny (https://action.notonepenny.org/page/event/detail/394/wrby) and Tax Scam Caroling (https://act.moveon.org/event/tax-scam-attend/search/) have events planned all over the country this week.  Let’s join them! If we don’t see one listed near us, let’s start one!

Reading/Watching

1.      Navajo Code Talker Explains Role in WWII:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciFv_ONffdw

2.      “The Stakes Are About To Get Really High For Republicans” - https://www.npr.org/2017/11/27/566461512/week-ahead-the-stakes-are-about-to-get-really-high-for-republicans

3.      Brown University’s Costs of War Project has been documenting the human, economic, and social & political costs of the post-9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and related violence in Pakistan and Syria. Here are just three of their many findings:  A) “370,000 people have died due to direct war violence, including armed forces on all sides of the conflicts, contractors, civilians, journalists, and humanitarian workers.” B) “It is likely that many times more than 370,000 people have died indirectly in these wars, due to malnutrition, damaged infrastructure, and environmental degradation.” C) “The human and economic costs of these wars will continue for decades with some costs, such as the financial costs of US veterans’ care, not peaking until mid-century.”  Let’s spend some time on the website educating ourselves about the costs of these wars: http://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/



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