What to Do This Week of February 5, 2017

by Feb 6, 2017Opinion, What To Do This Week0 comments

Action Checklist for Americans of Conscience

We have 91 weeks to mid-term elections. Deep breath–here we go!

The intention of this weekly document is to make clear, hype-free suggestions for action backed by well-considered research. If an issue doesn’t affect you, consider whether you would support this issue on behalf of other Americans, then act accordingly. Although diligently prepared, contents are subject to human error. Please do your own research.

Did someone send this to you? Sign up for this weekly checklist here.

 

I believe I can make a difference.

Print out the Americans of Conscience Action Worksheet and make a plan.
(Or use this adorable pocket version by the amazing Kelly Wooten!)

 

I believe in a free, quality education for America’s youth.

Oppose Betsy deVos by Monday, February 6.

We need one more senate Republican to block her. If you live in the states below, call today. We need your voice. (hat tip)

Call: The number below. Leave a message if no answer.

  • Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) 202-224-4521, 602-840-1891 or 520-575-8633
  • Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) (202) 224-6521 or (785) 628-6401
  • Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) (202) 224-6551 or (402) 441-4600
  • Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) (202) 224-6244 or (702) 388-6605
  • Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) (202) 224-4254 or (814) 453-3010
  • Sen. Shelley Capito (R-WV) (202) 224-6472 or 304-347-5372

Script: Hi! I’m a constituent in _ZIP code_. I am calling to ask _senator_ to vote no on Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education. (If you have a child in school, explain how they would be affected.)

 

I support the rights and sovereignty of indigenous people.

Divest from financial institutions funding the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).

Print this divest worksheet I put together and work through it step-by-step.

 

I believe in a woman’s right to safe, affordable reproductive care.

Advocate for the cause of comprehensive reproductive care.

Participate in Physicians for Reproductive Health’s storytelling campaign.

Tell your story at Voices of Courage (anonymous option).

Support the ACLU of Arkansas.

The ACLU is fighting a new law that allows men to block wives’ abortions and family members to sue doctors for performing abortions. They hope to sue before the law goes into effect this summer (source).

Make a donation: https://www.acluarkansas.org/.

 

I believe in creating a healthy environment for future generations.

Kids write postcards to djt about planet and climate.

Read: Kids4planet.com plan to send 1M letters before Earth Day, April 21.

Write: Full details here.

Oppose bill forcing states to manage national parks.

Fax: 202-225-5629 Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT).

Script: Rescind HR622. Federal lands need federal protection! (source)

Oppose drilling on public, taxpayer-supported wild lands.

Fax: 202-226-9739 Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and

Fax: (202) 225-5929 US House Committee on Natural Resources.

Script: I oppose J46. Don’t make it easier to drill on park land!

(source) (hat tip: @BadHombreNPS)

 

I believe in a government with qualified, trustworthy leadership.

Support bill to remove Steve Bannon from the Nat. Security Council (source).

Call: Your congresswo/man (lookup).

Script: Hi! I’m a constituent from _ZIP code_ and am concerned about Steve Bannon’s role on the National Security Council. I would like _Rep. Name_ to support Rep. Stephanie Murphy’s bill to remove him from this role. Can you tell me his/her position on this?

Note: Contrary to circulating memes, Bannon does not require senate vote as an “invitee” to council (source).

Just two left! You can do it!

Oppose Judge Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court.

His history includes rulings against women, workers, and the planet, and bringing “corporations are persons” into being (source).

Call: Both your senators (lookup).

Script: Hi! I’m a constituent from _ZIP code_ calling to express my opposition to Judge Gorsuch for the Supreme Court. Can you tell me how my senator plans to vote? If yes, is s/he concerned about equal rights for women and minorities? I am requesting s/he will change her view (hat tip).

Report djt’s abusive tweets for violating Twitter’s Terms of Service.

Twitter’s rules are clear: no harassment, no targeting, no threatening or inciting violence (source). You don’t need a twitter account for this action.

Visit this link: https://support.twitter.com/forms/abusiveuser

Enter username: realDonaldTrump

Enter reported tweet URLs:

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/827655062835052544

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/827867311054974976

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/827118012784373760

Complete remainder of form and click submit.

 

I support protecting citizens’ assets.

Support a bipartisan bill to prevent banks from gambling with your money (source, source).

Call: Your representative (lookup).

Script: Hi! I’m a constituent from _ZIP code_ and am calling to express my support for the reinstatement of Glass-Steagall financial protections. Can you tell me what my rep thinks about the bipartisan bill to Return to Prudent Banking? How do they plan to vote?

 

Acts of gratitude

Research shows practicing gratitude brings numerous health benefits. If you’d like, take time to express your thanks to people making a difference and showing courage.

Thank two GOP senators voting against DeVos (source).

Script: Thank you for standing up for quality education in our country by opposing the DeVos appointment. I’m grateful. Name, State

Contact: Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) (email and address)

Contact: Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) (email and address)

Thank Republicans for speaking out against Bannon’s appointment (source).

Script: Steven Bannon is bad for our country. Thank you for standing up for reason. Name, State

Contact: Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) (address)

Contact: Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) (email and address)

Thank leaders for standing up equality (source) (source).

Script: No matter what happens, history will always show your ruling on the side of justice. Thank you for your work on behalf of all Americans. Name, State

Contact: Attorney General Bob Ferguson (email and address)

Contact: The Honorable James Robart (email and address)

Thank a Republican leader for speaking against djt (source).

Script: Thank you for marching with us, and for using your conscience and your voice on behalf of all Americans. I admire your courage. Name, State

Contact: Beth Fukumoto (R-HI) (email and address)

 

Recommended reading

How to prevent news fatigue (link).

How to tell whether Trump’s actions are normal (prevent freak outs) (link).

Historian explains the role of shock events (link).

Have a laugh about staying calm and relaxed this year (link).

 

This is #NotNormal

A normal president respects democratic ‘minority rights’ (The Hill, The Hill).

A normal president respects the authority of the third branch of government (The Hill).

A normal president respects longstanding alliances (The New York Times, Reuters).

A normal president pays for his own family’s vacations (The Washington Post).

A normal president doesn’t target or blame one group (Reuters).

 

Good news

Whew! You made it. We’ve had lots of great successes this past week, so let’s revel for a few moments.

Messages to senators about supporting ACA are getting through (source).

3.3M acres of public land will not be sold off–thanks to citizen input (source).

Boycotts convinced Uber CEO to step down from djt’s council (source).

Obama’s protections for LGBT federal workers will stand (source), and Republicans from FL and PA praised the decision (source).

US-based corporations publicly opposed anti-Muslim executive order (source).

House Oversight Committee may investigate djt’s conflicts of interest (source).

Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism released bi-partisan statement on plans to investiga Russian election interference (source).

Two GOP senators state they’ll vote no on Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary (source).

Boy Scouts opens participation to transgender boys (source).

City of Seattle votes to divest from Wells Fargo to protest DAPL (source).

Baby Fatemah gets to enter the US for heart surgery (see how cute she is!) (source).

 

Housekeeping

 

Final action

If you find this checklist useful, please share.

Tweet: Want clear, no-hype instructions on how to ? Check out @inspiredjen’s action checklist: https://goo.gl/9px9Rq

Email and Facebook: If you’re looking for clear, no-hype instructions on how to , check out this weekly action checklist from Jen Hofmann: https://goo.gl/9px9Rq

Thank you! We’re stronger together!