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Contact Federal Government Officials
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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.
Trump visited Puerto Rico on Tuesday and, as
Clint Smith III noted, threw paper towels at people like a game show host. Here
is a summary of his visit: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/353737-the-memo-five-takeaways-from-trump-in-puerto-rico and https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/10/trump-puerto-rico-visit/541869/ As
Trump is likely to cross Puerto Rico off his to do list and move on to other
topics, we must keep pressure up on our MoC for a disaster still affecting
millions of Americans.
2.
How deep does the hypocrisy go? US Congressman Tim
Murphy (R-PA), a vocal anti-abortion legislator, reportedly asked his mistress
to have an abortion during a pregnancy scare: https://www.apnews.com/cb007be76dc440c994603f600adfb891/Report:-Anti-abortion-US-rep-asked-girlfriend-to-get-one Let’s
let Murphy know we’ve had enough of his hypocrisy: https://murphy.house.gov/contact-me/
3.
“The Department of Veterans Affairs inspector general
is reviewing Secretary David Shulkin's 10-day taxpayer-funded trip to Europe in
July, during which Shulkin and his wife spent time shopping and sightseeing in
Denmark and the U.K.” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/veterans-affairs-inspector-general-is-reviewing-david-shulkins-10-day-europe-trip/ Let’s
write to Shulkin expressing our concern over this misuse of taxpayer funds
(especially given that he’s an official overseeing Veterans Affairs, which has
a history of mismanagement): David Shulkin, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, 810
Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420. Let’s also share our concerns
with the VA Inspector General: 1-800-488-8244 (being sure to mention if we are a
veteran or have family members who are veterans).
4.
The Action Network is launching a letter writing
campaign to ask our members of Congress to support a clean Dream Act (S. 1615).
They have provided background information, talking points, and a link to
connect us with our MoC: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/sign-and-send-a-personalized-letter-pass-a-clean-dream-act-bill
5.
Homeland Security has published a new rule that
would allow "social media handles and aliases, associated
identifiable information and search results" to be included in the
department's immigrant files." DHS would collect this information on
all immigrants, including permanent residents— “green card” holders—and
naturalized citizens. This rule will go into effect on October 18,
but between now and midnight of the 18th, we can—and
should—submit comments on this latest harassment of immigrants, regardless of
their status: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/09/18/2017-19365/privacy-act-of-1974-system-of-records#open-comment
6.
The new budget needs to be passed before tax reform can
begin. The GOP federal budget is to be voted on by the House today and it will
be the set-up for tax reform. We all
know there are many flaws and that many of our most vulnerable citizens will be
hurt it is passed in its present form. http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/02/gop-budgets-tax-reform-collision-243320
Let’s contact our reps and voice our opposition to this budget.
7.
The new tax plan has some generous giveaways to the
wealthy and some frightening budget cuts that will negatively affect the middle
class and poor. http://www.npr.org/2017/10/04/555433641/who-will-benefit-most-from-gop-tax-plan-early-report-suggests-the-wealthy Let’s use this Trump Tax Toolkit to make some
contacts and express our opposition: https://trumptaxtoolkit.org/
8.
Today is the deadline for DREAMers to renew their DACA
status, and United We Dream is focusing efforts on making sure Congress
receives an avalanche of phone calls, encouraging them to support a clean DREAM
Act. Let's each call our MoC, then join United We Dream's Text to Call so that
we can invite others to make the call as well http://www.calltodream.org/
9.
Ajit Pai, who has been spearheading efforts to roll
back net neutrality, was reconfirmed as FCC Chairman by a Senate vote of
52-41
http://bit.ly/2xT3tHk http://bit.ly/2yo7pD0 Although
the vote was mostly along party lines, four Democrats voted in favor of Pai:
Senators Claire McCaskill, Gary Peters, Joe Manchin, and Jon Tester. Let's make
sure that we hold these senators accountable for their votes. We can call their
offices to express our disappointment and ask for an explanation: Sen.
McCaskill (202) 224-6154 Sen.
Peters (202) 224-6221
Sen. Manchin (202) 224-3954 Sen.
Tester (202) 224-2644. We can also use the sample tweets available
from the Free Press Action Fund: 1) These senators just sold you out to
ISPs by reconfirming Trump's FCC chairman: @clairecmc @Sen_JoeManchin
@SenGaryPeters @SenatorTester. 2) .@SenatorTester just endorsed the end
of the internet and sold you out to Verizon and Comcast by reconfirming Trump's
FCC chairman. 3) SHAME: @clairecmc voted to reconfirm @FCC Chairman Ajit Pai
who wants to end #NetNeutrality & push through the dangerous #Sinclair
merger. 4) @SenGaryPeters just sold you out to internet service providers by
voting to reconfirm Trump’s @FCC Chairman, Ajit Pai. 5) SHAME: @Sen_JoeManchin just sold you out to
Verizon and Comcast by voting to reconfirm Trump’s @FCC Chairman, Ajit Pai.
10. It
took three airplanes on 9/11 to make airport security safer. It took one shoe-bomber
to make flying safer. It took seven
Tylenol murder victims to change packaging protections for safer
over-the-counter medications. It took
three deaths to ban lawn darts to make us safer. Our government has long been
involved in helping to make citizens safer. Safety from guns, however, seems to
be directly related to the influence of the NRA: http://billmoyers.com/story/todays-nra-price-freedom/
Yesterday, following the most deadly
gun tragedy in the U.S., House
Republicans voted 231 to 189 to block an up-or-down vote on creating a
bipartisan Select Committee on Gun Violence, which would have bene charged with
studying and reporting back common sense legislation to address the gun violence
epidemic within 60 days. https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-after-house-gop-blocks-vote-to-create-bipartisan-select Let’s
contact our reps and tell them that we want this to happen. We want Congress to begin this process of
safeguarding our lives against gun violence.
11. It
is the loophole in the 30-year-old automatic weapons ban that make it possible
for a civilian to attain one that most likely made the Las Vegas tragedy
worse. https://www.wired.com/story/las-vegas-shooting-automatic-rifle/ Let’s ask our MoCs to address this by looking
at this loophole by signing on to Sen. Feinstein’s (D-CA) legislation to close
the loophole: http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article176871581.html
12. In
a shocking act of irresponsibility, congressional Republicans who wasted months
attacking Obamacare let a September 30th deadline pass without renewing federal
funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program. States will exhaust their
federal CHIP money as early as December if action isn’t taken ASAP, endangering
health care access for millions of children (http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-chip-funding-20170929-story.html).
Let’s join 5Calls in demanding our reps step up and fix this now: https://5calls.org/issue/recOlc0pl4JKvJA4H.
State Actions
1.
VT: Central and Southern Vermont Hurricane Relief is
collecting and sending supplies to assist with hurricane relief. Let’s look at
the list of requested items and opportunities to volunteer, and see how we can
help out: https://www.facebook.com/centralandsouthernvermonthurricanerelief
2.
MI: “Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof introduced
Senate Bill 594 on Wednesday, September 27. This legislation is authorization
to create a private police force. These “private” law enforcement personnel can
be hired by governments. There is no prohibition against eliminating an
existing public police force and they would be awarded full arrest powers on
duty. This legislation is a solution in search of a problem. Please contact the following members of the
Senate Government Operations Committee and urge a no-vote: 1) Senator Mike Kowall: Phone: (517) 373-1758 -- Email: SenMKowall@senate.michigan.gov,
and 2) Senator Geoff Hansen: Phone:
(517) 373-1635 -- Email: SenGHansen@senate.Michigan.gov”
Other Actions
1. Here’s
a spot of good news in a bleak week - public trust in the media is going up:http://www.reuters.com/article/us-trump-effect-media-poll/the-press-branded-the-enemy-by-trump-increasingly-trusted-by-the-public-reuters-ipsos-poll-idUSKCN1C813L
Let’s continue to financially support trusted media sources as we are able.
2. Ben
& Jerry’s has signed a historical contract to ensure the rights of dairy
workers in its supply chain. https://migrantjustice.net/victory (Note: If you were
planning to participate in Thursday’sNational Day of Action, these have
been cancelled in light of this move.) Let’s send our thanks to Ben &
Jerry’s by mail (Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc., 30 Community Drive, South
Burlington, VT 05403-6828), online (https://secure.benjerry.com/about-us/contact-us?)
or by phone (802-846-1500 Monday - Friday, 8:30am
- 5:00pm. [Ask for Consumer Services]).
3. From
one of our own: My cousin Miguel
Alberto De Angel, the priest in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, reported last night that
his town has yet to receive any aid. He went to buy supplies for his town with
his own money but the bottled water is all sold out and the only water he could
bring back was bottled coconut water. My heart breaks. If you would like
to help him and his town directly he is receiving help at Padre Miguel
Alberto De Angel, P.O. Box 362632, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936.
They need: Batteries, diapers for
adults and children, milk boxed, water, basic medicines, or money to acquire.
[Remember since Puerto Rico is part of the US, it is regular postage] Or, we
can donate here: https://www.youcaring.com/padremigueldeangeliglesiacatolicadeyabacoa-969244
4. The
ACA enrollment period has been shortened to November 1 to December 15, and
funds to advertise it and assist users, have been cut. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2017/09/28/obamacare-enrollment-period-and-assistance-cut-half-iowans/712693001/
Let’s help make sure that those who need to know this information have it: https://getamericacovered.org/
5. Regardless
of where we live, what happens in the Virginia election in November will affect
us all. Let’s watch this short video
explaining why: https://youtu.be/YJ0xJEioIyg , then
let’s sign up with Why Virginia 2017 Matters to find out how we can help: http://www.whyvamatters2017.com/
6. Along
the same line, FLIPPABLE unveiled a new website today. From their email to
subscribers. "On November 7, we have an opportunity to make history for
Democrats. We can flip the Washington State Senate—and turn the West Coast
blue—by supporting one excellent candidate. In Virginia, we can expand
healthcare, protect choice, and restore voting rights by working to flip the
House of Delegates. We’ve picked 5 districts where your time and money will go
the furthest. Learn more about these campaigns—and recommit to taking action—on
our new Virginia and Washington pages." https://www.flippable.org/?utm_source=flippable_list&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=relaunch&utm_content=email_171004_1
This is one of our best chances to change this government is to flip the house
in 2018. Let’s check out this website and see what we can do to be part of the
change.
7. Rosanne
Cash, daughter of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, has called on country
musicians to stand up to the NRA: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/03/opinion/rosanne-cash-country-musicians-nra.html Through their NRA Country, the NRA is attempting to
seek younger members to offset their aging base: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/apr/04/nra-country-gun-lobby-music-nashville Let’s contact our favorite country music
musicians and ask them to distance themselves from the gun lobby.
8. Pen
America, the national branch of the well-established international organization
that fights for press freedom, is trying to help us fight back against the
recent attacks on the free press in our country. "The Press
Freedom Incentive Fund will support new initiatives to invigorate
local communities with ideas, information, questions, and discourse around
press freedom defense. Proposals may center on events, panel discussions,
campaigns, outreach efforts, educational initiatives, guest speakers, or other
formats that can be effective in reaching local audiences." Anyone is
eligible, and grants of $1000 - 4000 are available. Let's find out more here: https://pen.org/press-freedom-incentive-fund/.
9. The
horrors we saw in Las Vegas this past weekend have brought renewed attention to
the need to strengthen our gun control laws. Let’s commit to getting informed
and engaged in this fight for the long haul by subscribing to the free daily
roundup e-mail of gun control news and analysis from The Trace. We can
subscribe here: https://www.thetrace.org/#subscribe.
Petitions
1. Most Americans favor commonsense gun control,
even Republicans. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/10/03/lots-of-republicans-actually-support-gun-control/?utm_term=.1ff7d785c246 Let’s
sign this petition asking for Congress to get working on it: https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/gun-control-now
2. “The GOP budget plan calls for a staggering
44 percent cut to overall social and environmental spending by 2027. This would
all but guarantee cuts to the programs that keep our air clean, our water
drinkable, and our climate safe. We need your help to stop the Dirty
Budget!” Let’s sign this Friends of the Earth petition:
https://us.e-activist.com/page/3492/action/1
Marches/events/teleconferences
to attend/organize
1.
National Month of Mobilization on Taxes: October 4-13.
Let’s join Stop Trump Tax Cuts
to see how we can participate: http://stoptrumptaxcuts.org/events/
2.
We can still register for the Women’s Convention to be
held in Detroit, October 27-29: http://www.womensconvention.com/register.html
3.
Volunteers are needed for the Women’s Convention in
Detroit. Attendance to the convention is
free for the day we work. We can sign up
here: https://liveunitedsem.galaxydigital.com/aem/corp/event/?doc_id=4485&key=a07caa6d6d98caa618d4da204d16ef09
Reading/Watching
1. Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action
for Gun Sense in America, wrote an excellent op-ed for The Guardian that
includes some action items regarding reaching our MoC about specific
legislative efforts: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/03/americans-gun-laws-lobbyists-national-rifle-association
2. This is what deportation is like for a young
Mexican raised in the United States: http://www.bridgemi.com/detroit-journalism-cooperative/michigan-deportee-adjusts-mexico-i-dont-wish-anybody
3. The Week in Science & Technology by RISE
Stronger: https://www.risestronger.org/newsroom/week-36-science-technology
Rogan’s
List is a participant in and strategic part ner of the Action Alliance,
a loosely-federated group of organizations that, in
the wake of the
2016 election, are sharing daily or weekly calls to action.
Other
member sites are listed here: https://www.actionalliance.co/ --scroll down and click through and you'll
find many more opportunities to make a difference.
******
Rogan’s List is also part of RISE Stronger’s United States of
Resistance
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