“Politics” used to be voting in the right candidate, then just sitting back on our couches watching TV, and waiting for good things to happen.
If that were ever true, it isn’t like that now. Now it’s about our calls.
“I bring back the Groundhog Day pic from time to time because, let’s face it, some of these calls feel incredibly repetitive. We’ve been asking for the same stuff for months. Agh!
The aides I talk to every day, though, tell me repeatedly how important it is that we keep calling, and keep making the same asks over and over. “We definitely need to keep hearing from you,” they tell me.
And I’m pretty sure there are 800,000 Dreamers out there who also hope we don’t run out of steam. So let’s not.” (Jessica Craven)
If you haven’t gotten a phone call down to 10 seconds or less, click here for instructions on downloading our Amplify app or setting up your phone for fast calling.
Action #1 – Go to the training today and volunteer at the Citizenship Fair.
Click here for information.
Action #2 – Call for a clean Dream Act and Health Centers
We weren’t the only ones who noted this turn of phrase…
The federal budget only goes through February 8. Let our MoCs know (yes, AGAIN!) that they shouldn’t approve any budget that does not include a clean Dream Act (meaning no wall) and funding for the community health centers that cover about 27 million low-income people in 9,800 rural and urban communities across the U.S. We need to speak up, often and loudly, for those who need help. Stand Indivisible.
Minimal Script: I’m calling from [zip code] to ask Rep./Sen. [___] to support a clean DREAM Act without a dime spent on a lame border wall and to fund our community health centers.
Rep. Julia Brownley: (CA-26): DC (202) 225-5811, Oxnard (805) 379-1779, T.O. (805) 379-1779
or Rep. Salud Carbajal: (CA-24): DC (202) 225-3601, SB (805) 730-1710 SLO (805) 546-8348
Other Rep Contacts: http://www.phoneyourrep.com
Senator Feinstein: DC (202) 224-3841, LA (310) 914-7300, SF (415) 393-0707, SD (619) 231-9712, Fresno (559) 485-7430
and Senator Harris: DC (202) 224-3553, LA (213) 894-5000, SAC (916) 448-2787, Fresno (559) 497-5109, SF (415) 355-9041, SD (619) 239-3884
Other Senator Contacts: http://www.phoneyourrep.com
Related Reading:
Ice is out of control (Slate)
Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is a recipe for national decline (Vox)
He grew up American – Then his Dad said, “We need to talk” (Good)
Related Viewing (See if you recognize anyone, local resisters):
Action #3 – Get your legislator the support to enforce the Russia Sanctions!
This was the vote on Russian Sanctions:
House: 419-3
Senate: 98-2
On August 2, 2017, the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act” (H.R. 3364 ) was signed into law by President Donald Trump. It provides sanctions against malicious cyber activity, selling weapons to the Assad regime in Syria, and Iranian violations of human rights and continuing weapons program activities. The bill gives Congress the ability to review and reject any proposed lifting of sanctions against Russia by the Trump Administration.
- The October 1st deadline for identifying which Russian entities would be penalized with new sanctions came and went without Trump providing the required list.
- After 3 weeks and a push from Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), the Trump Administration put out a list, one that dismissed the expert’s work of actual targets and just listed every rich Russian.
- Trump administration declares that no sanctions are necessary.
Congratulations, America. Laws are meaningless now unless our legislators get busy.
Minimal Script: I’m calling from [zip code] to ask Rep./Sen. [___] to demand that the Russia sanctions be enforced per H.R. 3364.
Rep. Julia Brownley: (CA-26): DC (202) 225-5811, Oxnard (805) 379-1779, T.O. (805) 379-1779
or Rep. Salud Carbajal: (CA-24): DC (202) 225-3601, SB (805) 730-1710 SLO (805) 546-8348
Other Rep Contacts: http://www.phoneyourrep.com
Senator Feinstein: DC (202) 224-3841, LA (310) 914-7300, SF (415) 393-0707, SD (619) 231-9712, Fresno (559) 485-7430
and Senator Harris: DC (202) 224-3553, LA (213) 894-5000, SAC (916) 448-2787, Fresno (559) 497-5109, SF (415) 355-9041, SD (619) 239-3884
Other Senator Contacts: http://www.phoneyourrep.com
Action #4 – Deadline Feb. 5th – Stop stealing from workers – WRITTEN
The Department of Labor recently proposed a rule that would make it legal for employers to take their workers’ tips, as long as they pay those workers at least the minimum wage. In a new report, EPI estimates that nearly 80 percent of the stolen tips, or $4.6 billion annually, would come out of the pockets of women and their families. The analysis also includes a breakdown of how much money tipped workers would lose in each state, as well as a breakdown by race/ethnicity. Overall, workers would lose $5.8 billion each year.
Written Script – Mix this up a bit:
I object to this tip rule (RIN: 1235-AA21). It’d go against decades of federal and state law and precedent, which has safeguarded tips as the property of the workers who receive them. If adopted, this regulation would force a vulnerable workforce further into poverty, economic instability, and vulnerability to harassment and assault.
I urge the Department of Labor to withdraw this proposed rule (RIN: 1235-AA21).
Recommended reading:
- Sharon Block and Christine Owens, “Trump Wants You to Tip Restaurant Owners, Not Servers,” Dec. 7, 2017.
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Women would lose $4.6 billion in earned tips if the administration’s ‘tip stealing’ rule is finalized (EPI)
INDIVISIBLE VENTURA 