Have a nice weekend, relax, but come back on Monday ready to fight. Prepare to call every Republican representative you have who voted to take the first step to repeal Obamacare. (Did I mention there’s also the possibility of Medicare and Social Security cuts in there? Republicans refused to vote for an amendment that would protect them.)
Hill staffers say the phones are ringing off the hooks, and they’re a little cranky about all the people yelling at them. KEEP IT UP.
In a first step toward repealing Obamacare, they voted to remove the preexisting condition protections and the individual mandate, thus making insurance out of reach for the people who need it most.
So call the Congressional Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Ask for your GOP senator. Say: “Why did you vote to kill me last night?” That’s it. Let the person who answers the phone explain why their millionaire boss voted to kill you.
Or you may be shunted to voicemail. Same thing: “Why did you vote to kill me last night?” Maybe a little louder this time.
Depression makes it hard for people to do things. I get it. I’m depressed, too. But I’ve already made three calls this morning. Get moving!
Bowie:
I created a a WhiteHouse.gov petition demanding Obama call a special session of Congress over Russian election hacking.
Please sign and share as widely as you can. Thanks!
Call your reps today, tell them you are opposed to the cuts in Social Security. Or that you don’t want warmonger John Bolton anywhere near the State Department. Or that you want an investigation into the Russian election hacking! Pick one!
Don’t get overwhelmed by all the crap flying through the air, because the bad guys count on your inertia. Just pick one topic. Send an email, write a letter, make a call.
HHS nominee Rep. Tom Price plans to repeal Obamacare, privatize Medicare, and cut Medicaid funding.
“What can we do?” people keep asking me. “What can we do to stop Donald Trump?” So many tell me they feel too frozen to do anything to save our democracy.
There is a solution, and it’s not what you think. It’s this: Stop making it about Donald Trump. Shift your focus to the issues — and American values, which are worth fighting for. Call your elected officials and express your opinion. Put their numbers in your phone, and use them.
Do you want to keep Obamacare, Medicare, and Social Security? Do you want Congress to address climate change? You have to remind the people who will be voting for or against any legislation.
No one else is coming to your rescue. If you are constrained from speaking, give money to organizations who will speak on your behalf. (Remember when Ben Franklin said, “A republic, if you can keep it”?) If the only voices your elected official hears are from the opposition, they will vote accordingly. I can’t stress this enough.
One group, called “We’re His Problem Now,” offers a simple call guide. And here’s an action guide someone else put together.
People say to me, “What’s the point? My senator’s a conservative Republican.” Don’t give up. The Republican leadership asks them how many calls or letters they got against an issue. Yours will help.
Some people are reluctant to take part for personal reasons — undocumented status, for example. Certainly, no one expects you to take undue risk. But for those of you who are uncomfortable with calling because you’re shy, or you’ve never done it before, get over your discomfort. Your country needs you.
Remember: Elected officials work for us. There’s nothing unreasonable about telling them what you want them to do.
Went to Drinking Liberally last night for the first time in years! We are moving full steam ahead with plans to expand the group and get more active. (I also played Quizzo for the first time ever, and my team won. Hah!)
If you’re in the Philly area, make plans to join us on Tuesdays at 6pm, 6-9 pm at Second Story Brewing Co., 117 Chestnut St. We can help you get involved where you live.
Lots of handwringing and “what can I do?” going on. For one thing, pick up the phone and call both of your senators and your congress person. (Call one of the satellite offices, it has more of an impact.)
If they’re Republican, even better — because they’re on the defensive today.
From what I hear this morning, everyone’s phones are ringing off the hook, with people demanding they denounce the hate crimes done in the name of Trump. Here is your moment to put a Republican on the defensive.
And if you have a Democratic rep, also demand they stand up to these Republicans. Tell them you want the same amount of cooperation with the Trump agenda that they gave to President Obama: NADA.
Put those numbers in your phone. You’ll need them.
