VALUABLE LESSONS FROM THE FAILINGS OF THE SENATE
"The denial of this sacred right is a tragic betrayal of the highest mandates of our democratic tradition,” Martin Luther King, 1957, Give us the Ballot address
QUICK READ: Senate Republicans and at least two Democrats are reportedly ready to kill voter protection laws. Denying the vote to people who would vote against them is part of the Republican war on our government. If the bills do indeed fail, it will deliver hard but essential lessons for the fight ahead.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
This week the Senate will consider bills to ensure that qualified people can get to the ballot box, unimpeded, and have their votes fairly counted. If those bills fail, as seems likely, this setback will offer clear lessons.
First, Republicans cannot win a fair election. The GOP must vilify others, subvert elections, reject truth at the price of human life, and overturn democracy simply to preserve power because their base is shrinking and their agenda is unpopular.
Second, the Senate cannot function when one party abandons democracy. The Senate has conceded power to the minority. It's controlled by people who represent 43 million fewer voters, mostly from white, conservative states.
Third, protecting the vote and democracy can only be done with massive voter registration drives that lead qualified voters to the polls.
Finally, and clearly, we must carry on the fight for justice. People have risked their lives for the vote. Their sacrifice is our inheritance, and they bequeathed us the fight to make America's future better.
We are not fighting for the election of Democrats but to preserve representative democracy. We fight for the vote, for a stronger democracy where all voices matter.
Those who block voters dread democracy.
Keep fighting.
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].
I am calling to say that this is no time to fold. We must redouble our efforts. Please keep warning about the dangers to democracy and the necessity to elect democrats, that is: candidates who believe in our democracy.
(If this issue moves you personally, tell your Members of Congress why)
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].
I am calling to say that this is no time to fold. We must redouble our efforts. Please keep warning about the dangers to democracy and the necessity to elect democrats, that is: candidates who believe in our democracy.
(If this issue moves you personally, tell your Members of Congress why)
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
You are sacrificing our country for your own power. It is disgusting.
(If this issue moves you personally, tell your Members of Congress why)
ACTION TWO: 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].
I am calling to say that this is no time to fold. We must redouble our efforts. Please keep warning about the dangers to democracy and the necessity to elect democrats, that is: candidates who believe in our democracy.
(If this issue moves you personally, tell your Members of Congress why)
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].
You are sacrificing our country for your own power. It is disgusting.
(If this issue moves you personally, tell your Members of Congress why)
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].
I am calling to say that this is no time to fold. We must redouble our efforts. Please keep warning about the dangers to democracy and the necessity to elect democrats, that is: candidates who believe in our democracy.
(If this issue moves you personally, tell your Members of Congress why)
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].
I am calling to say that this is no time to fold. We must redouble our efforts. Please keep warning about the dangers to democracy and the necessity to elect democrats, that is: candidates who believe in our democracy.
(If this issue moves you personally, tell your Members of Congress why)
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 am calling to say that this is no time to fold. We must redouble our efforts. Please keep warning about the dangers to democracy and the necessity to elect democrats, that is: candidates who believe in our democracy.
(If this issue moves you personally, tell your Members of Congress why)
ACTION 3: Other ways of fighting back
Below are opportunities to fight for our country in which you might be interested. So, as John Lewis said, go and make some “good trouble.”
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday.
Want to help GOTV with the Newberg school board recall vote? The vote is on Tuesday so the shifts are between now & then. RBS & RDB: Volunteer Sign-up
Freedom to Vote Act Phonebank with Common Cause · Common Cause
Oregonians must protect democracy in the House by replacing retiring US Representative Peter DeFazio with another Democrat, and replacing Democrat Kurt Schrader, the “Manchin of the House,” with a progressive.
Demand your primary news source drop “bothside-ism” for truth.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon
Center for Common Ground is starting new Reclaim Our Vote campaigns: TEXAS Primary is First! Writing to 730,000 Black registered voters in Texas, urging them to vote in the upcoming March 1st Primary. Only 1 in 25 Texas voters participate in primaries Postcards For Texas with Center for Common Ground
Act for Democracy has a meeting on Tuesday, January 25, at 5:00 pm. Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan will be the guest
Join Indivisible Oregon’s Policy Team. Email Bobbie Isaacman at bobbieisaacman@gmail.com
FURTHER READING:
America’s Anti-Democratic Movement - The New York Times
Trump and the Republican revolt against democracy, explained in 13 charts - Vox
Republicans Won't Be Elected If Democrats Pass Voting Bill: Trump - Business Insider
In Bid for Control of Elections, Trump Loyalists Face Few Obstacles - The New York Times
Opinion | How Did Democrats Let This Happen? - The New York Times
Republicans say they need vote restrictions to win - The Washington Post
Trump said Republicans will never be elected again if Democrats pass their voting rights bill - MSN
Is American Democracy Sliding Toward Minority Rule? : NPR
Mitt Romney's fearmongering filibuster speech was truly nonsensical
Democrats Face a Dilemma on Voting: Compromise or Keep Pressing? - The New York Times
With Voting Rights Bill Dead, Democrats Face Costly Fight to Overcome GOP Curbs - The New York Times
Voting Battles of 2022 Take Shape as G.O.P. Crafts New Election Bills - The New York Times
