Contact Federal Government Officials
Find senator’s contact info here: https://goo.gl/RLiotu
Find representative’s contact info here: https://goo.gl/5i7SXC
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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.
It is beyond
time for DACA to be addressed legislatively.
The facts are clear: https://www.factcheck.org/2018/01/the-facts-on-daca/ We need to call our MoCs to tell them to get
moving on a clean act that will allow these young people to remain in this
country with a pathway to citizenship. 87%
of Americans want this to happen: https://americasvoice.org/press_releases/polling-87-americans-support-dreamers/
2.
“A
shooting at a high school in Benton, Kentucky, on Tuesday left at least two
students dead and 17 others injured. This shooting came a day after a similar
attack at a high school in Italy, Texas, and was the ninth school shooting in
2018 alone.” http://news.gallup.com/poll/226202/news-school-shootings.aspx Let’s
all call our MoCs, all of them, and ask if we can talk about gun violence now.
3.
While
CHIP was saved for another six years as part of the budget continuing
resolution (CR), funding for the country’s 12,000 Community Health Centers,
which provides low-cost healthcare to 25 million of us who do not qualify for
Medicaid OR CHIP, was not. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-health-202/2018/01/23/the-health-202-chip-won-in-the-government-shutdown-but-community-health-centers-did-not/5a66316730fb0469e88402e7/?utm_term=.371387dcbb03 Let’s
let our MoCs know that this needs to be addressed and these people not
forgotten.
4.
Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is considering treating
“bump stocks” like the ones used in the mass shooting in Las Vegas as falling
under the legal definition of machine guns. Under laws already in place, the
sale and manufacture of new machine guns for civilian use is banned and those
already in circulation are tightly regulated (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/05/atf-and-other-federal-agencies-reviewing-whether-ban-bump-stocks/924347001/). Tomorrow is the LAST DAY we can
submit comments on this proposed rule. Let’s let the ATF know we think this
would be a step in the right direction: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/12/26/2017-27898/application-of-the-definition-of-machinegun-to-bump-fire-stocks-and-other-similar-devices#open-comment
5.
Monday marked
the 45th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, and it
comes at a troubled moment for a woman’s right to choose. With Trump pledging to appoint Supreme Court justices who will overturn Roe and supporting an
unconstitutional ban on abortion after 20 weeks, our advocacy is needed more
than ever (http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/353533-trump-administration-backs-20-week-abortion-ban). Let’s observe this anniversary by A)
checking out this Center
for Reproductive Rights report
on the impact by state if Roe were overturned and asking
our state legislators to
strengthen laws protecting our rights, B) contacting our senators and letting
them know that under no circumstances should they allow the 20-week ban to move
forward, and C) consider a donation to Emily’s List to get more pro-choice women in office.
6.
On the
anniversary of Trump’s first year in office and the protests that accompanied
his inauguration--during which the police indiscriminately rounded up and
charged with felonies over 200 protesters in Washington DC--the government has
dropped all charges against 136 of those arrested. But Trump’s Department
of Justice continues to pursue charges against 59 protesters, explicitly going
after those it claims organized the protests: https://www.courthousenews.com/riot-charges-dropped-against-129-inauguration-day-protesters/ PEN America, among others, is
circulating a letter objecting to this DOJ effort to pick off what they assume
to be protest leaders: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-now-to-defend-all-protesters-first-amendment-rights We must defend our right to protest by
letting federal prosecutors know that we support the first amendment rights of
these 59 remaining defendants: 202-353-1555 or U.S. Department of Justice, 950
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530-0001
7.
Kirsten
Nielsen, Homeland Security Secretary, is waiving environmental regulations to
accelerate construction on Trump’s proposed U.S.-Mexico border-wall. http://thehill.com/latino/370202-trump-admin-waives-dozens-of-environmental-rules-to-speed-up-construction-of-border Let’s contact Nielsen to protest her
decision to put a pointless and expensive wall over the welfare of our
environment: 202-282-8000 or Homeland Security
Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security,
Washington, D.C. 20528.
8.
The
White House has imposed a 30% tariff on imported solar panels, supposedly to
protect American manufacturing jobs. But industry analysts warn that the move
also threatens tens of thousands of jobs that Trump has vowed to protect,
because companies that install solar panels will probably trim their workforces
in response to higher costs. http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-pol-solar-tariffs-20180122-story.html While there's no way to directly force The
White House to ditch this industry-killer, we can call on our MoCs to voice our
displeasure with it in Congress and appeal to the World Trade Organization to
nullify the tariff, as has happened in previous cases. Our appeals ought to be
especially effective in states that have booming solar installation industries,
like California.
Election 2018 -
General
1.
Flippable.org
has launched a new funding drive -- this time for Democratic candidates running
for State-level positions. Let's help the blue wave happen at the local level
-- it is these public officials who most directly affect our lives on a daily
basis. "Donations to our PAC will support Democrats running for
state-level office in 2018. We’ll cut through the noise by selecting 100
excellent candidates in strategic districts. You’ll advance a powerful,
data-driven movement that’s already seen results. By joining the Flippable
Fund, you’ll be stepping up for democracy—and taking charge of our country’s
direction." https://www.flippable.org/act-now/
2.
Black
women have consistently showed up in the voting booth, yet they are woefully
underrepresented in politics http://read.bi/2DvkKw6 http://nyti.ms/2CBfJgv Let's go beyond verbal praise and
thanks, and show our support for black women by making sure they get elected.
For those of us with the means, we can offer financial support at Higher
Heights, which hosts training, webinars, research, and round-table discussions
for candidates http://www.higherheightsforamerica.org/ We can also check out the Black Women
in Politics website, a database of black women running for office, where we can
find candidates in our own state https://blackwomeninpolitics.com/
Election 2018 –
By State
Other Actions
1.
From Moms Demand Action for
Gun Sense in America: “America Has Had Three School Shootings in Two
Days” - https://www.thetrace.org/rounds/america-three-school-shootings-in-two-days/ Our
children deserve better. Let’s see what
Moms Demand Action has done in five years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbii77EPHgg then, let’s text READY to 64433 to join the
millions of Americans fighting for solutions to the gun violence crisis.
2.
“Senior
U.S. congressional Democrats urged social media companies on Tuesday to
investigate reported actions by automated Russia-linked accounts, in connection
with a Republican memorandum that was said to be critical of special counsel
Robert Mueller’s probe of President Donald Trump’s ties with Russia.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-congress/key-democrats-urge-social-media-companies-to-investigate-russia-linked-accounts-idUSKBN1FC282 Let’s join Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) in
asking Facebook and Twitter boards of directors to investigate this continuing
problem. Facebook: 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025 and
Twitter: 1355 Market Street, Suite 900,
San Francisco, CA 94103
3.
ProPublica has a tool we can use to check our MoC's
voting records, public statements, press releases, stats, and other helpful
information. Let's check it out, and use this great tool to hold our
representatives accountable for their actions https://projects.propublica.org/represent/
4.
Once
again Mueller is seeking to question Trump as part of his on-going
investigation. https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/23/politics/mueller-question-trump/index.html
Should this move Trump to find a way to let Mueller go, we need to be
part of the grassroots effort to take to the streets. Find out more here, and sign up: https://www.trumpisnotabovethelaw.org/event/mueller-firing-rapid-response/
5.
We know
there is much toxicity to the promulgation of the notion of “fake news” but
perhaps none more so than when it catches a broken mind: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/jan/23/michigan-man-held-over-threats-to-kill-cnn-staff Let’s be sure to call out on social
media when we see this false narrative of “fake news” being promoted and let’s
take a moment to thank CNN for persevering: CNN, Turner Broadcasting
System, Inc. One CNN Center, 13 North, Atlanta, GA, 30303 or on Twitter @CNN
6.
From one
of our own: One of Mr Trump's
psychological "problems" appears to be a need for constant acclaim. I
suggest that we proclaim a boycott of Mr T's State of the Union address
[January 30]. If citizens all across the country turned off their T Vs in sync
with several progressive members of Congress. If nothing else, it would surely
"rankle".
7.
“Montana
Gov. Steve Bullock (D) signed an executive order on
Monday requiring internet service providers with state contracts to abide
by net neutrality principles.” http://thehill.com/policy/technology/370133-montana-becomes-first-state-to-implement-net-neutrality-rules-following-fcc Let’s contact our local state
legislators to ask what they’re doing to preserve net neutrality.
8.
From one
of our own: [If we want to do more to help Dreamers, we can start] learning
facts about immigration in America to combat all the myths that are believed
and shared by many people. When you find yourself in a conversation, or in a
social media situation, where incorrect and inflammatory information about
immigrants is being shared, you can politely interject the actual facts which
will hopefully break down barriers, reduce fear, and bring more peace to our
communities. Giving financially to a Justice for Our Neighbors clinic, or similar organization, that
provides free legal help to immigrants to help them through the process of
immigration. A gift of any amount is meaningful and allows more clients to
receive services from a reputable, knowledgeable immigration attorney.
9.
Voter
suppression takes many forms, including obstructing identification requirements
for would be voters. Over 21 million people do not have government IDs. Many of
them are poor, Black, Latino, young and old. We can join with Spread the Vote
to help people get the identification they need to become registered voters. If
Spread the Vote has launched in our state (Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee), we
can sign up to volunteer with a local chapter or start our own chapter. If Spread the Vote has not launched in our
state yet, we can educate our communities about voter ID laws and help
Spread the Vote build partnerships, find volunteers, and more as part of a
pre-launch Spread the Vote chapter. If
we do not live in a Voter ID state, we can join the Digital Volunteer Program
and make an impact from wherever we live. We can find out more and sign
up here: https://www.spreadthevote.org/
Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize
1. Thurs.
January 25: NY Speaks Out: Clean Dream
Act Now – 5:00 to 6:30pm at Battery Park.
Event details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1580169022077091/
2.
Swing
Left
will be hosting the Blue Wave Tour in swing districts across the U.S., "to
meet, strategize, and have fun with local activists who are passionate about
flipping the House." Let's check to see if an event will be held nearby,
then RSVP to attend and get motivated! https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/blue-wave-tour
States
1. CA:
You might think the “Healthy Homes and Schools Act of 2018” sounds like a good
idea when you encounter it on the ballot, but three big paint
companies—Conagra, NL Industries, and Sherwin-Williams—are spending millions of
dollars promoting this ballot measure in an effort to shift the enormous cost
of lead abatement from themselves to CA taxpayers. In 2014, a lawsuit was
brought against these three former manufacturers of lead paint by 10 California
cities and counties; a state judge ordered the three to spend $1.15 billion to
abate the dangers from that paint still in California homes. In November, the
state Court of Appeal largely upheld the prior judgment, on the basis that the
residual paint constituted a “public nuisance” for which the companies were
responsible. It is expected that the California Supreme Court will do the
same: http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-lead-paint-20180119-story.html Especially
now, under Trump’s deregulatory regime, it is crucial that CA voters be warned
by every possible means of this corporate scam.
2. FL:
Activists in Florida have successfully gathered enough signatures to put a
so-called "Voting Restoration Amendment" on the ballot in November.
"The amendment would return the ability to vote to people with prior
felony convictions," where currently these folks -- 1.5 million strong --
have permanently lost their right to vote. Gathering the needed signatures was
tough enough. Now we have to get the word out that the current law is nothing
but a voter suppression tactic. If we'd like to help this worthy effort, we can
contribute to the aptly named non-profit "Second Chances
Florida," here: https://secondchancesfl.org
Reading/Watching
1.
Excellent piece in The Nation from journalist
Joan Walsh titled “What Happens When Women Fight Back”: https://www.thenation.com/article/what-happens-when-women-fight-back/
2.
Linguist George Lakoff, explains how Trump uses
language and how we fall into the trap of encouraging it: https://www.facebook.com/MicMedia/videos/1790593387630110/
3.
“Why Didn’t He Just Become a Citizen?” - http://www.benachcollopy.com/2018/01/didnt-just-become-citizen-immigration-lawyer-analyzes-recent-deportation/
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