Rogan's List

12/31/16  To-do List                                                            

There is no special way to attack this action list. If it seems overwhelming, just do the first two items to make it easier.  If you have a little more time, do the third….and the fourth…. Or, choose items that speak to your heart.  Some people cut and paste the list, print it off and take it with them so they can check items off while they are out and about during the day and just waiting or driving.  Others click and do items as they work on their computer or phone.  There is no right way to do this.  Just do something!  Remember, too, that many of the suggestions made on earlier days are still doable.

1. Stop Republicans in Congress from gutting Medicare: http://act.credoaction.com/sign/medicare_killers/

2. Take part in National Resist Day on Thursday, December 19, the day before the Inauguration.  Details here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/385497458467755/

3. Please sign and call to help block Trump’s cabinet of hate and Wall Street greed:  https://blocktrumpscabinet.com/

4. If you are still looking for a bus ride to the Women’s March in Washington, this may help:  http://rallybus.net/womens-march-on-washington

5. It seems there may be a vote in the House of Representatives on Tuesday for what is called the REINS (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) Act.  The Tea Party has been trying to pass this since 2011. “If there is one thing to remember about the REINS Act, it is intended to block or void federal laws protecting public health, safety, welfare and the environment through fundamentally anti-democratic means.” Thanks to an excellent FB post, here is an example of what it will mean, if passed:  In this country, Congress passes laws and then delegates them to the agencies to enforce and to work out the specifics of how each law is applied. The idea is that the agencies, whose jobs are specifically related to that law, are the experts (scientists, scholars) who should design the actual implementation of the law. For instance, generally senators have no idea how much PFAS can be in drinking water before it is harmful (EPA) or how to implement least restrictive environment (DO Education) or how much concrete should be used on highways to be safe (DO Transportation). However, the agencies, who employ scientists, economists, engineers are experts in their areas, do know these facts. When agencies are delegated a new law, they go through an elaborate process to write the regulations. It takes YEARS and lots of research. A law called the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) to ensure due process regulates this process. The APA gives all parties who may be affected by these regulations an opportunity to respond to them, to offer evidence, to have their experts testify. It takes YEARS to “publish regulations”! The Republicans hope to have this bill ready for Trump to sign on his first day.  https://www.nrdc.org/experts/john-walke/frequently-asked-questions-about-reins-act Contact your legislators to help block this legislation:  http://act.commoncause.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sunlight_advocacy_list_page

6. Another item on Tuesday’s agenda, in hopes of Trump being able to sign on his first day is office, is the Midnight Rules Act which would allow Congress to nix, en masse, Obama administration regulations issued late in his term.  While talking with your legislators, please also tell them to block this. 

7. Please consider taking these additional steps to fight the Betsy DeVos nomination for Department of Education Secretary:  call your senators (most effective), email your senators, sign the Network for Public Education letter, the joint NEA-AFT letter, and another MoveOn petition.