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Kudos to all who worked so hard to get out the vote yesterday!  New Jersey flipped its governor to BLUE and Virginia governor remained blue and  it may have flipped its General Assembly to blue!  Our country’s first openly transgender elected official beat the incumbent who authored the failed bathroom bill in Virginia! New Jersey elected its first woman of color lieutenant governor! Virginia has its first Latina elected state officials. Minneapolis will have the first openly trans woman of color on a city council of a major U.S. city!  Maine approved Medicaid expansion. The good news continues!  
This is just the motivation we need to keep us going.  The #resistance is alive and well and blue and diversity are showing up!   Here we come, 2018!

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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.      In this tax bill, churches can endorse candidates and maintain tax-exempt status: In case we missed it, the House Republican tax bill would allow churches to endorse political candidates, rolling back a 1950s-era law that bars such activities. The proposed change is listed at the end of the 429-page legislation.  It states that churches should not lose their tax-exempt status based on statements about political candidates made during religious services. The change to what is known as the Johnson Amendment has long been a priority of leaders on the religious right.  Read more at The Hill. Let's tell all of our Members of Congress that we oppose churches endorsing political candidates unless they give up their tax-exempt status.

2.      Also in this tax plan are hidden "features": Columnist Michael Hiltzik of the LA Times tell us more about the tax plan's hidden "features" in his article: "The GOP tax plan is filled with petty cruelties aimed at the vulnerable and the middle class. Here's a list“ The list includes: A) Education assistance slashed. B) Teachers lose their deduction for classroom supplies C) No more deduction for medical expenses D) repeals the adoption tax credit, which allows families to offset up to $13,570 in taxes for every child adopted out of foster care. E) attack on renewable energy by ending the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric cars and more.  Let's read this article and pick out the changes that would affect us then contact our MoCs with our stories.

3.      The Sutherland Springs church shooter, Devin Kelley, was court martialed in 2012 for assaulting his wife and stepson. “The domestic violence convictions were serious enough that, according to an air force spokesperson, he should have been prohibited from buying or owning firearms.” But the record wasn’t entered into the national background check system.https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/06/texas-shooting-suspect-devin-kelley-domestic-abuse-background-check  Let’s contact the Inspector General of the Air Force(http://www.af.mil/Contact-Us/, choose Air Force Public Inquiries) and the Inspector General of the Department of Defense (Office of Inspector General, United States Department of Defense, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22350-1500) to urge them to follow up on their promise to “conduct a complete review of the Kelley case, as well as a comprehensive review of air force records to determine whether other cases had been reported correctly.”

4.      On page 93 of the 429-page tax plan is a provision to allow a fetus to be named as a beneficiary of 529 college saving account. The Act would expand 529 college savings plans in two big ways: first, by allowing an unborn child (or “fetus”) to be a beneficiary; second, by allowing funds to be used for private education at the K-12 level, rather than just for post-secondary education. Giving a fetus legal status in the tax code would be an extraordinary and unprecedented move. Let's read more at Brookings then let's tell our MoC's that we object to the language in the tax plan that attempts to define fetal personhood.

5.      In a stunning move of “doublespeak”, Trump insisted that hundreds more would have died in Sutherland Springs, Texas if we had stricter gun laws:
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/359069-trump-hundreds-more-could-have-been-killed-in-texas-with-stricter-gun We can walk and chew gum at the same time on this issue and need to stay in touch with our MoC about sensible gun control rather than getting lulled back to sleep until the next massacre.

6.      Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has deemed any bills seeking to protect Special Counsel Mueller as "unnecessary" http://politi.co/2yuNO4E He further states "I don’t hear much pressure to pass anything." Let's change this by make a few calls. We can contact Sen. McConnell (202) 224-2541, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Grassley ((202) 224-3744) and Ranking Member Feinstein ((202) 224-3841) to let them know we want them to pass the Special Counsel Independence Protection Act (S. 1735)

7.      Senator Chris Murphy has introduced the Background Check Expansion Act (S. 2009), with 31 cosponsors, which would require a background check for every firearm sale, including private sales http://bit.ly/2zoOzt6 The bill does still have some loopholes (note the last paragraph of Sen. Udall's press release in the previous link), but this is an important step forward. Another essential piece of legislation, the Automatic Gunfire Prevention Act (H.R. 3947/S.1916), was introduced in the beginning of October in both the House and Senate, to prohibit the use or sale of bump stocks, or other accessories which would accelerate gunfire for semiautomatic weapons. Let's call our MoC and make sure that they cosponsor and support these important bills. We can also make it clear that gun reform is essential, and that a lack of support for regulations will be a deal breaker in the upcoming elections.

8.      One of four satellites used to monitor the Arctic’s shrinking ice cap broke down a few days ago. The three remaining ones are on their last legs, “operating long past their shelf lives,” and now drifting out of their orbits. Unfortunately, no new satellites can be launched at least 2023, and “None of the current satellites will still be in operation then.” 
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/nov/05/donald-trump-accused-blocking-satellite-climate-change-research Let’s contact our MoC urging them to support legislation to fund a new satellite to monitor the Arctic’s shrinking ice cap.

9.      There are many reasons to oppose the House tax bill, but here's another one for those of us who are/know/support graduate students in any field! "The tax reform bill released by Congress last week would treat tuition waivers for graduate students as taxable income, increasing their tax liability. Taxing students on a full year’s tuition—money they never see—would make graduate school unaffordable to many, including graduate students in the humanities. This would seriously deplete future generations of scholars and leaders." For more information on this provision in the bill, and a link to contact our MoCs about opposing it, see here:

10.  Trump and the GOP want to use their proposed tax reform bill to repeal Obamacare's individual mandate, which keeps health insurance premiums affordable by requiring everyone to carry health insurance https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/11/7/16619004/ted-cruz-obamacare-repeal-tax-bill  Republicans' biggest incentive for adding this amendment is the additional $416 billion it would allow them to put towards cutting taxes, primarily for corporations and the wealthy. Let's make sure our MoCs know that we understand exactly what this is: stealing access to healthcare from millions in order to give more money to the few who need it the least, aka plutocracy.

11.  The Trump administration has announced it is terminating temporary protected status (TPS) for refugees from Nicaragua, and is refusing to make a determination for Hondurans. They are ripping away legal status from thousands of our friends and neighbors who have lived in this country for almost two decades, and forcing tens of thousands more to live with uncertainty for months to come (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-41899733). Congress needs to put a stop to this and enact a permanent solution to provide lawful residency and a roadmap to citizenship for these folks. Let’s join the American Friends Service Committee in contacting our reps to let them know we want them to act at this link: 
Election 2017

1.      Now that the November elections are over, it's time to focus on the December 12, Alabama Senate race where Doug Jones, who prosecuted the KKK, faces racist, homophobic, anti-Muslim Roy Moore, whose views are so extreme that even Trump campaigned for his opponent on the primary. The race is close, turnout is vital, so Postcards to Voters needs our help to Get out the vote.  All we need to do is to write 5 postcards a week to Alabama Democratic voters,  letting them know how important electing Doug Jones is. PTV, now on its 32nd campaign, has plenty of ideas, help and encouragement to make this a fun, friendly process. For addresses, text HELLO to (484) ASK-ABBY which is (484) 275-2229.  Remember, Abby the Address Bot will also email you the same instructions and addresses as a courtesy.  If you do not have a smartphone or prefer not to text, email: 
Postcards@TonyTheDemocrat.org  We can also learn more about Doug, volunteer and/or donate here:  https://dougjonesforsenate.com/  Let’s help turn Jeff Sessions’ Senate seat blue! 


State Actions

1.      MI:  Let’s sign this petition to tell the Michigan Legislature: No guns in schools:  https://act.credoaction.com/sign/MI_gun_free_schools

Other Actions

1.      Remember that great woman on her bicycle, who showed Trump exactly what we all think of him with a defiant one-finger salute? She has been brusquely fired from her job as a result: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/she-flipped-off-president-trump--and-got-fired-from-her-government-contracting-job/2017/11/06/4cf1af9a-c2da-11e7-84bc-5e285c7f4512_story.html?utm_term=.a67548c5953a  While she appears entirely undaunted (when asked if she had any regrets, she replied that she'd do it again!), those of us on Twitter might want to send a thank-you (@julibriskman) to show her and the world our support for her spontaneous and trenchant exercise of her 1st Amendment rights. Also, we could drop a note to her former employer (http://www.akima.com, use their comment form there) wishing them luck in court if, as Ms. Briskman is currently discussing with the ACLU, a lawsuit arises.

2.      In the wake of the Texas church shooting, religious institutions may be wondering what they can do to help reassure their members and affirm safety. The Council on American-Islamic Relations is offering hard copies and pdf's of their "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety" booklet. The safety guide is applicable to all faith-based institutions and includes multiple steps which can be taken to increase safety. We can check out the pdf version http://bit.ly/2haazQb or sign up to receive a copy here: http://www.cair.com/mosque-safety-guide.html

3.      “A shuttle bus driver at Texas Christian University opened fire on another bus driver, prompting a campus-wide alert and lock down Tuesday morning, police say. Fort Worth police said it began as an argument between two Roadrunner drivers in the 3600 block of West Cantey Street at about 7:00 a.m.” https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/TCU-Alert-455824543.html. Before you send your child off to that Dream School they have worked so hard to get into, check the gun laws for that state; and if allowed on campus, let the university know that this is a foolish practice.  You might ask your student to reconsider where they choose to attend college. 

4.      Another way we can reach our Members of Congress with our tax plan concerns is through our friends at Herd on the Hill.  Volunteers with Herd on the Hill visit the DC offices of our elected officials, connecting us on the phone with live staff members; delivering our petitions, letters, and photos by hand; and coordinating conference calls and other group actions. Let's use their link stampslicked.org to create our own letters to our MoC's for hand-delivery.  To write about the tax plan, choose the "No Tax Breaks for Billionaires!" photo and follow the instructions.

5.      Local activists across the country are stepping up to fight for a renewable energy economy with the Trump administration kowtowing to fossil fuel companies. Communities are taking the lead by passing fossil fuel-free resolutions to put halting new fossil fuel projects and 100% renewable energy for all at the top of the agenda (http://portlandtribune.com/sl/365362-243797-pcc-goes-fossil-free). Those of us who want to join in this fight can attend a #FossilFree house party from November 11th through November 19th, or plan one if there is not one already scheduled near us. We can get more information at this link: https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/fossil-free-house-parties.

Petitions

1.      Let’s join Friends of the Earth in telling the House of Representatives not to hand over our wild places to Big Oil:  https://us.e-activist.com/page/3826/action/1

2.      “Tax dodging by big companies costs the US and poor countries more than $100 billion every year.  The Paradise Papers leak has revealed how big companies (including Apple and Nike) and Trump administration officials are using offshore tax havens to dodge taxes. These are some of the very same people negotiating the new tax bill currently before Congress. Let’s join Oxfam America and tell Congress to halt progress on the tax reform bill until they complete a comprehensive investigation into the details of the Paradise Papers scandal. https://secure3.oxfamamerica.org/page/speakout/no-rewards-for-tax-dodgers

Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize

1.      “ActLocal is a nationwide coalition of local leaders from established and new progressive organizations committed to advancing a just, equitable and free America. That's why 1500+ progressive leaders from 100s of organizations are joining forces across the country for 
#ActLocal2017  Let’s check out events being planned here:  https://www.facebook.com/actlocal and get more information here:  http://www.actlocal2017.org/

2.      December 14, 2017 is the five year mark of the heartbreaking Sandy Hook tragedy. Since that tragic day in Newtown five years ago, 500,000 Americans have been killed or injured by guns. We urge you to join us in our effort to continue to shine a light on the devastating epidemic of gun violence in our nation. ““  Between December 6-17, the Newtown Foundation will be sponsoring nationwide events and vigils to #EndGunViolence.  Let’s click here to find an event near us or ask to create one:  http://foundation.newtownaction.org/2017/11/01/2017-nationwide-vigils-events-endgunviolence/

Reading/Watching

1.      “Donald Trump is right. Gun violence is a mental health problem at the highest level, and our leaders need urgent treatment” – from a stirring op-ed in The Guardian by Richard Wolffe titled “The Heartbreaking Stupidity of America’s Gun Laws”:    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/06/heartbreaking-stupidity-americas-gun-laws-texas

2.      "The House Tax Bill: Six Popular Breaks You Didn't Realize You'll Be Losing." - https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2017/11/02/the-house-tax-bill-six-popular-breaks-you-didnt-realize-youll-be-losing/#512082bd5453

3.      Timothy Egan’s essay on “national parks for the 1%” is worth our reading:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/03/opinion/national-parks-entrance-cost.html





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