Action Checklist for Americans of Conscience

By Jen Hofmann

21 weeks down, 83 weeks to mid-term elections. We’re 25% there!

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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Act on your beliefs and values below.

 

I believe I can make a difference.

Create an activism plan.

Have you done this yet? Get focused by printing 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 equal rights for all Americans.

Action: Speak out against racism and misogyny in media.

Write: A postcard to FOX.

Address: 1211 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY 10036 or email.

Script: What’s in Maxine Waters’ head matters more than what’s on it. (If you’re a Republican or a viewer, mention this.) FOX owes America and Ms. Waters more than an apology for passing off misogyny and racism as humor. Thanks! Name, city, state

Action: Prevent federal law enforcement from unfairly taking money and property from innocent citizens.

Call: Your one representative (lookup).

Script: Hi! I’m from _ZIP_ calling to express my support for the bill proposed by Rep. Sensenbrenner that addresses civil forfeiture, the DUE PROCESS Act. When it comes up for a vote in the House, how does _NAME_ plan to vote?

Action: Oppose unconstitutional religious discrimination.

Call: The White House comment line 202-456-1111.

Script: Freedom of religion is a core principle of our Constitution. I oppose the laptop ban and extreme vetting of Muslim immigrants. America is a better place when it welcomes immigrants. I will remember these actions and other recent bans at the next election and vote accordingly.

 

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

Action: Advocate for a filibuster for Gorsuch’s nomination by Wednesday.

Call: Your two senators (lookup).

Script: Hi. I’m from _ZIP_ and am calling to ask _NAME_ to join with other Democrats in pushing for a more moderate Supreme Court pick than Gorsuch. How does _NAME_ plan to block this extreme nominee? (While you’re on the phone, go on to the next one…)

Note to ND or WV residents: Democratic senators, Joe Manchin (WV) and Heidi Heitkamp (ND), plan to vote for Gorsuch. Tell them how you feel about this.

Action: Voice your support of an independent investigation of 45’s ties to Russia.

Call: Your two senators (lookup).

Script: On another topic, I’m deeply concerned about about Trump’s ties to Russia. Has _NAME_ made a public statement in support of a non-partisan, independent investigation? Thank you.

Action: Advocate that Devin Nunes step down from leading the House Committee investigating the 45/Russia scandal.

My buds at Loyal Opposition have thorough info and a clear action for this issue.

 

I believe in quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.

Action: Support low-income women’s access to healthcare.

Mike Pence broke the tie, allowing states to defund Title X clinics that provide mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, and contraception to low-income women.

Donate: to Planned Parenthood in Mike Pence’s name.

As: Mike Pence, 1 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008.

Action: Plan ahead for the next effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Write: A postcard to your three MoCs’ local offices (lookup).

Script: I believe that all Americans deserve quality healthcare and am happy to support this with my tax dollar. Please represent my views when extreme conservatives again attempt to repeal the ACA. Thanks! Name, Town, ZIP

 

I believe in creating a healthy planet for future generations.

Action: Respond to EPA cuts by going local.

My friends at Wall-of-Us offer a creative solution to take our control back.

Visit: wall-of-us.org.

 

I believe people are more important than corporations.

Action: Resist efforts to sell info about what you do online.

Last week, Congress voted to allow your Internet service provider (ISP) to sell your browsing information.

Sign: Ron Wyden’s petition (then unsub to prevent follow-up messages).

Call: Your local ISP customer services (likely cell, phone, and/or cable company) and tell them you want to opt out of having your information shared.

 

I believe in being a good citizen of the world.

Action: Help feed Yemen’s hungry children.

The UN is now warning that Yemen is on the brink of famine — and that 1 in 3 Yemeni children is malnourished — due to a drawn-out, violent attempt to stabilize the government.

Donate: Feed Yemen’s people through the World Food Programme.

 

Acts of Gratitude

Get out your stamps, postcards, and sparkle markers for some gratitude mail. Include your name and ZIP if you’re a constituent.

• Thank Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) for publicly supporting Nunes’ recusal.
  Address: Rep. Walter Jones, 2333 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515
• Thank ExxonMobil for encouraging the US to stay in the Paris Agreement.
  Address: ExxonMobil Corporate Headquarters, 5959 Las Colinas Boulevard, Irving, TX, 75039-2298
• Thank Rep Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) for filing a resolution of inquiry to release 45’s tax returns.
  Address: 367 Valley Brook Ave, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071

• Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) believes in healthcare more than extreme ideologies. Applaud his decision to step down from the Freedom Caucus.
  Address: 1801 Kingwood Drive, Suite 240, Kingwood, TX 77339

• Thank Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) for putting women above politics by supporting clinics with Title X funding.
  – Sen. Murkowski, 510 L Street, Suite 600, Anchorage, AK 99501
  – Sen. Collins, One Canal Plaza, Suite 802, Portland, ME 04101

 

Recommended reading

Thought-provoking, in-depth reading worth your time.

• How Black women experience Maxine Waters’ and April Ryan’s lives every day.
• A Black woman goes to national parks seeking solace.
• Medical bills and the realities of living without health insurance.
• 45’s worst deal.
• Does law-enforcement’s automatic face recognition violate your privacy?
• The pros and cons of raucous town halls.
• The already-grueling process of vetting refugees.

Please keep taking care of yourself. If we stay well and feel resourceful, we win.

 

Not Normal

Avoid normalizing this presidency and #staywoke.

• A normal president does not run a business during his presidency.
• A normal president doesn’t employ his daughter and son-in-law in the West Wing.
• A normal president doesn’t financially benefit from running his business at taxpayer expense.
• A normal president doesn’t usually cause 185M in lost tourism revenue.
• A normal president doesn’t violate the Constitution by effectively criminalizing a religion.
• A normal president, his cabinet, and advisors are not embroiled in international scandal.
• A normal president doesn’t ban words related to a federal department’s core functions.
• A normal president doesn’t interfere with investigations concerning national security.
• A normal intelligence chairman doesn’t silence key sources, freezing an investigation.

 

Good news

• The Government Accountability Office will investigate the cost of 45’s regular trips to Mar-a-Lago.
• Numerous Dems and first GOP calls for Nunes to recuse himself from investigation.
• Texas gerrymandered districts ruled unconstitutionally discriminatory. This has positive national implications if it goes to the Supreme Court.
• North Carolina moves to repeal the discriminatory bathroom bill (call it a half-win since some discrimination remains legal).
• AP style officially recognizes “they/them” as a singular pronoun.
• Georgia Dems raise a whopping 3M to help elect Ossoff for Tom Price’s vacated seat.
• Maryland is one step closer to banning fracking in their state.
• One man is saving old-growth redwoods and helping them migrate.
• Denver announces its first tiny home village to house the homeless.
• Even more good news here at this website full of weekly celebrations.

 

Housekeeping

• If you’d like to receive this weekly checklist in your inbox, sign up here.
• To see archives of past checklists, click here and scroll to the bottom.
• If you find this checklist helpful, support Jen’s work by becoming a supporter (patreon) or contributing (paypal).

 

Final action

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

Tweet: Sanity! @inspiredjen’s action list is clear, helpful, & gives me good news too. Check out this week’s: goo.gl/Tv836J

Email and Facebook: Sanity! Jen Hofmann’s action list is clear, helpful, & reminds me that good things are happening too. Check out this week’s edition here: goo.gl/Tv836J

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

Warmly,
Jen