5/31/18
Contact Federal Government Officials
Find elected officials: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
********************************
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. “After
the failure to repeal the healthcare law last year, the Trump administration is
weighing two controversial new rules to loosen regulations governing health
plans. One would expand the availability of short-term coverage plans that last
less than a year. The other would make it easier for self-employed Americans
and small businesses to band together to form so-called association health
plans. Altogether, more than 95% — or 266 of 279 — of the healthcare
groups that filed comments about the proposed association health plan
regulation expressed serious concern or opposed it, the Times analysis found.
Not a single group representing patients, physicians, nurses or hospitals
voiced support in the public comments for the two Trump administration proposals.
The Trump administration has not indicated when it will finalize the proposed
new insurance regulations.” http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-insurance-opposition-20180530-story.html
We
must continue to be diligent and remind our MoCs that we want to protect and
improve the ACA, not dismantle it piece by piece.
2. On Tuesday, Republican
Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) as a guest on Fox News said of misnamed “Spygate”,
“I am even more convinced that the FBI did exactly what my fellow citizens
would want them to do when they got the information they got…”
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/29/gowdy-fbi-informant-spygate-trump-611600 Let’s take a moment to thank Congressman
Gowdy for valuing truth: https://gowdy.house.gov/contact
3. “The Post
recently asked 100 security experts - a panel put together from across
government, academia and the private sector - whether state election systems
are sufficiently protected against cyberthreats. Ninety-five said no.” http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-midterm-elections-security-20180524-story.html This is a national issue that needs reparative
attention before the midterm elections in November. Let’s ask our MoCs what they are doing to
safeguard our election systems.
4. The
Journal of Urban Health has published analysis which shows that approximately
4.6 million children live in a home with unlocked, loaded guns (https://www.thetrace.org/rounds/study-american-children-unlocked-loaded-gun-storage/). Meanwhile, a meta-analysis of available research shows that Child Access Prevention
(CAP) laws, are the most effective policies, reducing suicide and unintentional
injuries and death. However, there are no CAP laws in place at the federal
level, and 23 states do not have CAP laws. Let's read more about CAP laws here, then call our MoCs and ask them to
introduce legislation to address children's access to firearms.
5. The
Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections (HELP) for Separated Children Act (S.2937) will protect children who have been
abandoned at home or at school after their parents have been arrested or
detained by US immigration authorities. Let’s read about the protections this
bill will provide here, https://www.smith.senate.gov/content/sen-tina-smith-leads-23-senators-calling-protect-minor-children-left-alone-when-parents-are , and here, https://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398452 and let’s tell our MoCs we want
to see this passed.
6.
Thomas
Farr has a record of not only defending racist voter suppression laws, but
actually participating in efforts to suppress black voters. (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article211659684.html). Donald Trump wants to give him a lifetime
appointment as a federal judge, where he’ll have tremendous power to continue
putting up barriers to the voting booth. Demand Justice is organizing folks to pressure their
senators to vote against them. Let's join them. We can find talking points
in this
script from 5 Calls.
7.
This
past weekend, it became public that the EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) has
recommended a review of Scott Pruitt’s decision to roll back an Obama-era
policy on auto emissions; the independent group, made up of researchers and
scientists, called for a review of the EPA’s justification for changing this rule,
and a review of a number of other EPA policy rollbacks: http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/389691-epas-internal-advisory-board-recommends-investigating-science Let’s join the SAB in calling for all
44 members to consider these issues, something on which they will formally
vote Thursday: @EPAScottPruitt or Environmental Protection Agency,
Mail Code 1101A, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460 or
202-564-4700.
Election 2018 –
General
An election guide from Postcards for America: In this Google doc (updated
regularly), each State shows ALL Democratic Candidates running for Congress,
Governor, Lt Gov, Attorney General, Secretary of State (if applicable) with
links to their websites and Twitter. Each has a link to a Twitter Thread, a
Shareable Facebook Post and a Document. For most States, there are also Info
& Links for Voter Registrations, Absentee Ballots, Early Voting & Voter
ID, Age Requirements and being a Poll Worker. Let’s check
this out and use and share it:
1.
Indivisible
Project, our most focused and best organized grassroots political action
organization, has introduced its 50-State Political Program. This is a detailed
plan for getting progressives elected this November, and Indivisible needs both
donations and volunteers to implement it. Let's have a look at their strategy
for winning 73 key elections in 13 states, then step up in every way we can to
help. Remember, the only way to stop the cruel and rampant abuses of power
polluting our public life is to kick out the abusers. More here: https://www.indivisible.org/blog/announcing-50-state-political-program/
2.
Michigan
is among several states where democracy will be on the ballot in November,
thanks to the "Promote the Vote" initiative to amend the state
constitution. The initiative would allow no-excuse absentee voting, protect a
secret ballot, add audits for election results and make it easier to register (https://www.wxyz.com/news/political/spotlight-on-the-news/spotlight-on-the-news-the-campaign-to-promote-the-vote-the-future-of-the-mi-state-fairgrounds). We can help expand voting rights in
Michigan from anywhere in the country. You can sign up to phone bank from home
at this link
Election 2018 –
By State
1. Voting
dates and deadlines this week:
|
May 31
|
Vermont
|
Filing Deadline
|
|
|
June 1
|
New York (Federal)
|
Voter Registration Deadline
|
Primary
|
|
June 01
|
Alaska
|
Filing Deadline
|
|
|
June 01
|
Kansas
|
Filing Deadline
|
|
|
June 01
|
Wisconsin
|
Filing Deadline
|
|
|
June 01
|
Wyoming
|
Filing Deadline
|
|
|
June 2
|
New Mexico
|
Early voting ends
|
Primary
|
(source: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WJiqNAZNlWPSCAvuRpQ5e5dFiC5IY3O3epicrCuHINs/edit#gid=514224366 We
can also see this info by state here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IMWqHIktIBS7jPxS4mVV1--YKYVa-2yYWjV8QHsi1F4/edit#gid=1798528701)
2. Eight
states have primaries next week. Let’s Use this info to make our plan to vote &
then share with friends in the state:
3. CO: Introducing FLIP COLORADO, a
Facebook group dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a 50-state project
that came out of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get Doug Jones
elected by squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can join here,
get some new ideas and meet new folks. Together we can turn our beautiful state
the Bluest it’s ever been, so let’s start getting our country back, state by
state! We can check the group out, then, if we like it, join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlipColorado/
4. MD: Introducing FLIP MARYLAND, a
Facebook group dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a 50-state project
that came out of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get Doug Jones
elected by squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can join here,
get some new ideas and meet new folks. Together we can turn our beautiful state
the Bluest it’s ever been, so let’s start getting our country back, state by
state! We can check the group out, then, if we like it, join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlipMaryland/
5. OK: Introducing FLIP OKLAHOMA, a
Facebook group dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a 50-state project
that came out of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get Doug Jones
elected by squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can join here,
get some new ideas and meet new folks. Together we can turn our beautiful state
Blue, so let’s start getting our country back, state by state! We can check the
group out, then, if we like it, join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlipOklahoma/
6. VA: Introducing FLIP VIRGINIA, a
Facebook group dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a 50-state project
that came out of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get Doug Jones
elected by squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can join here,
get some new ideas and meet new folks. Together we can turn our beautiful state
the Bluest it’s ever been, so let’s start getting our country back, state by
state! We can check the group out, then, if we like it, join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlipVirginia/
Other Actions
1. On
Tuesday, Fox News anchor Shep Smith used two minutes of time to lay waste to
the “Spygate” garbage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwLdVU5Tc3E Let’s
take a moment to thank Mr. Smith for valuing truth: Shep Smith, Fox News,
1211 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10036
2. Ice
cream anyone???! MoveOn.org has been in the resistance business for 20 years.
Now, they're working on a "Resist and Win" campaign, "focused on
ending GOP control of the House and electing progressive candidates at the
state and local level, as well as supporting candidates in key gubernatorial
and Senate races." If we can make a monthly contribution to MoveOn, we'll
be entered into a lottery for a year's supply of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. No
contribution is required to enter, but......karma and all that: https://act.moveon.org/donate/stand-with-ben-and-jerry
3. Although
there are many challenging and chaotic things going on along many fronts, let
us pause and take note that Roseanne Barr’s show was canceled on the same day
that Missouri Governor Greitens resigned. The guardrails may not be where we
want them to be, but we have proof that there still are some. Let’s take a
moment to thank ourselves and our favorite fellow resistors for seeking liberty
and justice for all.
4. A
recent report has showed that Russian malware has infected more than 500,000
routers and network-attached storage devices (https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/05/fbi-tells-router-users-to-reboot-now-to-kill-malware-infecting-500k-devices/).
The FBI is asking that we reboot our routers, consider disabling remote
management settings, update to stronger passwords, and make sure we have
updated to the latest version of firmware: https://www.ic3.gov/media/2018/180525.aspx
5. From
Alt National Park Service: Thank you, Lowe's Home Improvement! Home improvement retailer Lowe's will soon
be ridding all of its stores of products carrying a toxic chemical known to
cause cancer. The company announced Tuesday it will soon phase out all
products, including paints and paint thinners, that contain the toxic chemical
methylene chloride. The change will occur throughout its global market by the
end of the year. [https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/05/30/lowes-paint/654702002
] Let’s thank Lowes: 1000 Lowe's Blvd., Mooresville, NC 28117 or (704) 758-1000
6. Many
of us have our Congressional representatives on speed dial but are looking for
other ways to take direct action while we urge politicians to act. For those of
us, we can continue calling congress AND … digitally volunteer to join Amnesty
International’s Troll Patrol, exposing abusive tweets toward women. https://decoders.amnesty.org/projects/troll-patrol #callcongressAND
7. “Parents
from the Florida community where 17 people were killed in a mass shooting
at a local high school are forming a political action committee to
take on candidates backed by the National Rifle Association (NRA),” http://thehill.com/homenews/389907-parkland-parents-form-super-pac-to-go-up-against-nra-candidates Let’s donate to this new PAC and encourage
their efforts: http://famsvarpac.org/
8. Red
Robin Restaurants Thanks Teachers: Teachers eat free at Red Robin
on June 5. Red Robin would like to thank teachers for their dedication
with a FREE* Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries. Choose from one
of FIVE Tavern Double Burgers! No purchase is necessary. Just show your valid
school ID and enjoy your meal on Red Robin: https://www.redrobin.com/teachers.html.
Let’s tell our teachers everywhere about this special offer. They deserve a
free meal out !
9. While
technically a non-profit, “The NFL should not be able to deny a qualified
player because of his political views while taking public money to subsidize
their business profits.” Let’s join in
this petition to the NFL to no longer blacklist Colin Kaepernick and check out
the other recommended actions as well: https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/state-ags-investigate
Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to
attend/organize
1. On Friday, June 1st, We Belong Together, the
National Domestic Workers Alliance, MomsRising, MamasConPoder, ACLU, United We
Dream, MoveOn, and many others will host actions across the country demanding a
stop to the practice of separating children from their families and protection
of the human rights, as well as the safety and well-being, of all children with
no exceptions (including unaccompanied minors and children in detention). We can see if there is an event near us here:
https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/families-belong-together and we can find more information and a
toolkit here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18Di1XrNkn6ogwS-GxKYJOBAS7zPK6VYiXVv0rqwgJRs/edit?ts=5b0c0bd0#
2. This weekend, June 1-3, “People around the
country are coming together with a simple message: there's more we can do to
end gun violence.” Let’s check here to find a Wear Orange Weekend” sponsored by
Everytown for Gun
Safety and Moms Demand Action
for Gun Safety event near us:
http://act.everytown.org/event/wear-orange-2018/search/
3. Rallies, on June 14, in support of the
missing immigrant children are being coordinated all over the country. “The March for Stolen Children is a peaceful
event. Everyone participating in this event will be required to abide by all
applicable laws and lawful orders of authorities." We can use this link to
create a rally near us: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFqhCwGsoZOua_tompfPhoPmi0Qx9je3iAskumf3ZhflhvWg/viewform
States
Reading/Watching
1. “Democrats are never going to win the news cycle
from Trump. He’s an attention-grabbing genius. But they can, and must,
out-organize him, out-run him, out-register him and out-vote him.” - https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/opinion/midterms-trump-democrats.html
2. "The group least likely to think the U.S.
has a responsibility to accept refugees? Evangelicals" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/05/24/the-group-least-likely-to-think-the-u-s-has-a-responsibility-to-accept-refugees-evangelicals/?utm_term=.2d3f1cf3ff47
3.
“Trump is Winning His PR Battle with Mueller. So
What?”
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