REPUBLICANS, A MINORITY PARTY, REPLACE DEMOCRACY
Republicans have thoroughly gamed democracy
QUICK READ:
How can Republicans pass extreme and unpopular conservative laws, block opponents’ actions, and still be confident of holding power? Easy. At the state level, they incite rabid conservatives to vote in primaries, gerrymander to pick their voters, and block those who disagree with them from voting. At the federal level, they use the filibuster to block progressive legislation in Congress and the Trump Supreme Court to nullify legislation they can’t stop.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote In her dissent of the Texas abortion law that ”the Act is a breathtaking act of defiance—of the Constitution, of this Court’s precedents, and of the rights of women seeking abortions throughout Texas.”
If you’re shocked by the news from Texas, so are Texans.
Just months ago, polls showed the only 32% of Texans supported making abortion laws more stringent. Just 36% supported permitless gun carry. Only 19% embraced the Big Lie, but Republicans needed voter suppression anyway. By this week, all these became law.
Minority rule, when the will of the majority is ignored, has replaced democracy.
How do they hold power in a democracy, especially in Texas, with their white, evangelical base shrinking? Easy.
They incite rabid conservatives to vote in primaries, gerrymander to pick their voters, and block minorities from the ballot box.
They use the filibuster to block broadly popular legislation, and they’ve stacked the Supreme Court with ultra-conservatives.
Congress can restore majority rule. The Senate needs to pass voting rights protections, end gerrymandering, safeguard federal elections, and nullify the Texas abortion law with the Women's Health Protection Act.
But every one of these measures will be stopped cold by the filibuster.
Our democracy is on fire. Every one of our Members of Congress must respond to the urgent threat to democracy and kill the filibuster.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Republicans ignore the will of the majority, even in Texas, to impose their extremist views. You inspire us, and we join you to keep fighting for our democracy and the elimination of the filibuster.
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
You said: “The right to safe and legal abortion must be codified into law. We cannot let the filibuster stand in the way.” Eliminate the filibuster because our democracy is being destroyed by the minority.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
I hope you are aware that you are killing democracy to hold on to power and enact your views, which are held by only a minority of Americans. The coming destruction of the pinnacle of government for and by the people will be laid at your feet.
ACTION 2: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Republicans ignore the will of the majority, even in Texas, to impose their extremist views. You inspire us, and we join you to keep fighting for our democracy and the elimination of the filibuster.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I hope you are aware you are killing democracy to hold on to power and enact your views, which are held by only a minority of Americans. The coming destruction of the pinnacle of government for and by the people will be laid at your feet.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Republicans ignore the will of the majority, even in Texas, to impose their extremist views. You inspire us, and we join you to keep fighting for our democracy and the elimination of the filibuster.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Republicans ignore the will of the majority, even in Texas, to impose their extremist views. You inspire us, and we join you to keep fighting for our democracy and the elimination of the filibuster.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
- I urge you to support budget reconciliation, which includes Joe Biden’s climate plan to achieve 80% clean electricity by 2030.
- Congress has failed to act on climate for years. We can’t wait any longer.
- If you are concerned about the budget reconciliation bill’s costs, why aren’t you concerned about the $650 billion/year that the federal government gives to the fossil fuel industry?
Action 3:
Contact people in California and tell them to vote “no” on the recall and get all their friends to do likewise. If Newsome loses, and Senator Feinstein steps down for health reasons, a MAGA Republican would likely be appointed, and Democrats would lose control of the Senate.
Phonebank to stop the California recall https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/410899/?fbclid=IwAR2t5jwJNdh-H7wubjQa0pCYVpCyN7RQUZeW7bCvv3OlQ9QWWUqORn11y88
Other opportunities for action include:
WRITE LETTERS AND POSTCARDS IN GOOD COMPANY,
FRIDAY, SEP 10, 4:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/274619/
PHONEBANK TO ENCOURAGE VIRGINIANS TO VOTE
SAT, SEP 11, 12:00 noon-2:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/410893/
SUPPLIES FOR PORTLAND LETTER AND POSTCARD WRITERS:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCM7EfUvaGmDh-XG2alQRbdptouha8MLpMcEqgYt8kvXiXPg/viewform
Further Reading:
Partisan gerrymandering has empowered a hard-right turn in Texas | Texas | The Guardian
The vastly varying importance of American voters – Medium
Dissent opinions on Texas abortion law, Supreme Courts.pdf
Texas GOP bets on hard right turn amid changing demographics -
Republicans now enjoy unmatched power in the states. It was a 40-year effort. - The Washington Post Opinion
