Action Checklist for Americans of Conscience

By Jen Hofmann

19 weeks down, 85 weeks to mid-term elections. Take a moment to breathe.

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.

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Click if you have a question or action suggestion.

 

Act on your beliefs and values below.

I believe I can make a difference.

Create an activism plan.

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

Put a great Democrat in Tom Price’s vacant seat.

Support Jon Ossoff for Georgia’s 6th district. Election is 30 days away.

Readers overwhelmed me with requests for this. Please help Georgia.

Donate or volunteer: https://electjon.com/.

 

I believe in a government led by qualified, trustworthy representatives.

Action: Support an independent investigation–even though nothing seems to be shifting yet.

Call: Your two senators (lookup).

Note: See if your senator is on the committee hearing this bill. Bonus points for calling them if they are. 😉

Script: Hi. I’m a constituent from _ZIP_ calling because I am angry about the appearance of corruption of the president and his team. The House investigation isn’t enough. Will _NAME_ co-sign Sen Cardin’s bill 27 for an independent commission to investigate Russia’s takeover of our elections? (If no or waffle-y:) This is not a partisan issue. Our democracy depends on truth and transparency. As a voter, this is a top issue for me. (If they’re on the committee, ask for a progress update.)

Action: Support the No TRUMP Act.

Call: Your one congresswo/man (lookup).

Script: Hi. I’m a constituent from _ZIP_ calling to express my support for HR 1452, the No TRUMP Act. Donald Trump should have divested of his businesses before entering office. Earl Blumenauer’s bill stops my tax dollar from lining the president’s pockets.

Action: Oppose Sonny Perdue for Secretary of Agriculture.

Call: Both of your senators again (lookup). Vote is this week.

Script: Hi. I’m from _ZIP_ and calling to oppose Sonny Perdue for Secretary of Agriculture. His history of corruption as governor of Georgia has no place in America’s leadership. How does _NAME_ intend to vote on Perdue?

Action: Share your creative skills to support progressive candidates.

Join Prolog: Prolog is a searchable database of professionals who offer their expertise – everything from graphic design to catering to copywriting and fundraising – to Democratic candidates and campaigns, free of charge, in order to regain a Democratic majority in 2018: www.weareprolog.org.

Note: The creator of Prolog is one of our own! Brava!

 

I believe in my Constitutional right to free speech.

Action: Share with someone who wants actions in Spanish.

Acción: Compartir con alguien que quiere acciónes en español.

Mis amigos tienen buenas ideas participar en la resistencia.

Sitio: https://www.resistancetrpa.org/spanish.

 

I believe in quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.

Action: Sway key Republicans to oppose the health care plan.

RISE Stronger made a list of the ten most likely Republicans to oppose the new healthcare bill. If one of them is yours, call and ask them to oppose it.

Check the list: Click here for the image.

Call (only your rep.):  (lookup).

 

I believe my taxes should be used to support the common good.

Action: Oppose 45’s new budget proposal.

Call: Your three MoCs. Make this a separate call from other issues (lookup).

Script: Hi. I am a constituent from _ZIP_ calling to express my deep concern over the president’s proposed budget. Specifically, (choose one or two that concern you most and share a personal story related to it):

• I don’t want my tax dollars paying for his wall or a bigger military.
• I don’t want to pay a higher TSA fee or to privatize air traffic control.
• I support national parks, the prevention of wildlife trafficking, and superfund pollution cleanup.
• I support scientific research on the climate crisis and cancer.
• I support the EnergyStar program that rates appliances’ efficiency.
• I support loan guarantees for small businesses.
• I support the arts and humanities, including quality programming like Sesame Street, NPR, and Public Broadcasting.
• I support programs like WIC, school meals, housing subsidies, and medical care for people in need.

Honestly, it’s not just the budget, it’s the belief that my tax dollar should support people in need and programs for the public good. Where does _NAME_ stand on this proposed budget?

Deep breath innnnnnn… Deep breath ouuuuuuuut… Only three more to go.

 

I believe in a woman’s right to quality reproductive health care.

Action: Support funding birth control medication and reproductive care.

Look up: Your MoCs on Planned Parenthood Scorecard.

Call: All three MoCs.

Script:  Hi, I’m from _ZIP_ and calling to thank/take issue with _NAME’s_ voting record on women’s health issues. There are several current efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, under cover in the AHCA and in bills like H.R. 354/S.241. I’m asking that s/he vote no on these efforts. In attempting to prevent abortion, they will severely limit access to birth control and other basic reproductive care, especially for those who have few or no alternatives. (Share your own story.) Thank you for advocating for women/Please tell _NAME_ to show his/her constituents that women’s health matters to him/her.

Action: Get involved in the campaign to defend Planned Parenthood.

Click: Go here to discover how you can help.

 

I believe in the value of my vote.

Action: Support changing to the popular vote model in the US.

Click: http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/.

Use their tools to advocate for your state to elect a president by popular vote.

 

Acts of Gratitude

Get out your stamps, postcards, and sparkle markers for some gratitude mail.

Thank Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand, for speaking out against dangerous firearm accessories.

Address: Leo W. O’Brien Federal Office Building

11A Clinton Avenue, Room 821, Albany, NY 12207

Thank Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), for his new No Hate Act and sending a message that hate and discrimination are un-American.

Address: 90 State House Square, 10th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103

Thank Derrick Watson, the judge who blocked the second Muslim travel ban, for his good judgment and courage.

Address: Hon. Derrick Watson, United States District Court, District of Hawaii, 300 Ala Moana Blvd C-338, Honolulu, HI 96850

Thank Enda Kenny, Ireland’s Prime Minister, for his courage and integrity in explaining to 45 the role of immigrants in America.

Address: PM Enda Kenny, Department of the Taoiseach, Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2, D02 R583, IRELAND

Use $1.15 in US stamps or an international stamp..

Thank Kristina Dunz, German reporter, for showing American media how to hold 45 accountable with honest questions.

Address: Kristina Dunz, Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Mittelweg 38, D – 20148 Hamburg, GERMANY

Use $1.15 in US stamps or an international stamp..

Recommended reading

Thought-provoking, in-depth reading that’s worth your time.

• If you want the latest news and a laugh, the most recent Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me program is worth a listen.
• 45’s slowest presidential transition in decades. Might be connected to…
• The full details of 45’s plan to gut the US federal government (don’t worry, we’ll fight it in Congress), though this tongue-in-cheek summary might be an easier read.
• How the climate crisis is affecting the underrepresented.
• Yale historian explains what stage in the progression of fascism the US currently is.
  (Note: I don’t usually link to sources like alternet.org, but the interview is good quality. Ignore the rest.)

 

Not Normal

Avoid normalizing this presidency and #staywoke.

• A normal president doesn’t defund the federal government’s essential functions.
• A normal president keeps his word when he says he’ll make a donation.
• A normal president doesn’t publicly lie about wiretapping by a former POTUS, and then change his mind. Or implicate other foreign leaders.
• A normal president doesn’t lie to cover past lies by implicating a foreign government, causing that government to insist he not repeat the lie in the future.
• A normal CEO (now Secretary of State) doesn’t hide climate data in an alias email account.
• A normal elected official doesn’t delight in depriving poor people of food, housing, and medicine.

Please keep taking care of yourself. If we get tired, he wins.

 

Good news

• The second unconstitutional Muslim ban paused in Hawaii. Then blocked in Maryland.
• A bright spot in the proposed budget is increased funding for veterans’ medical needs.
• Global carbon emissions stayed flat in 2016.
• Florida felons sue for the right to vote, hopefully giving these citizens their voice.
• The world’s sixth largest advertising company pulls out of Google and YouTube for not guaranteeing ads won’t appear on hate sites.
• Regretful anti-Muslim shooter makes an emotional public apology.
• What happens when two Texan congressmen, a Democrat and a Republican, drive cross country together.

• Back by request, is this website full of weekly celebrations.

 

Housekeeping

• If you’d like to receive this message weekly, sign up here.
• To see archives of past Action Checklists, click here and scroll to the bottom.
• Become a supporter (patreon) or contribute (paypal).

 

Final action

If you found this checklist useful, please spread the word!

Tweet: You may want to give up, but this action to-do list makes it easy to speak up for democracy and justice. #resist goo.gl/jOCza0

Email and Facebook: The news cycle is making my head spin. Instead of giving up, I use this this sane, no-hype action to-do list to speak up for democracy and justice. Check out this week’s edition and #resist. https://goo.gl/jOCza0

Please keep taking good care of yourself and rest when you need to. We’re stronger together!

Warmly,
Jen