“WHAT ARE REPUBLICANS FOR?” KILLING DEMOCRACY.
They are against saving lives, against speaking honestly, and against the very foundations of democracy, beginning with the freedom to vote.
QUICK READ: Biden’s question “What are Republicans for?” sent political journalists scurrying for answers. They found zilch. ”(S)tanding for nothing is not a long-term survival strategy for a party that has managed to win the popular vote in only one presidential election since 1988.” Karen Tumulty, WaPo (1/23). So, to hold power, they have to change how our government is chosen.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
Last week, the President asked, “What are Republicans for? . . . Name me one thing they are for.”
They want power.
Since they’re saddled with a shrinking voter base, shifting demographics, and an unpopular agenda, their only path to power is to replace majority rule with government by and for the minority.
This would be the death of democracy.
So, the GOP went to war with democracy.
Betting Democrats won’t vote in 2022, Republicans tear at existing cultural wounds to work their base into a frenzy so they’ll storm polling places. (That’s the enthusiasm gap, and it’s working.) They’re also blocking certain voters and rigging vote-counting.
But they’ve lost control of the narrative. Twitter oracles and Fox demigods shout down one another with increasingly absurd claims.
And the people who trust them become addicted to anger. Some fall to Covid. Some become violent. Most just seethe, waiting for that day when they can bolt for the voting booth.
With control of state governments, the Supreme Court, and the Senate (through the filibuster), they’re perilously close to locking in minority rule.
Since Republicans are a minority, by exposing their war against America, we can Get Out The Vote and win in 2022.
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 blocked voter protection bills, so it’s time to expose their war against democracy and what they’re really for – minority rule. Please hammer home the message that Republicans cannot win if people hear the truth. That they cannot win if people hear their objectives. That they are trying to win by playing the race card. That they cannot win if they speak honestly.
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].
Republicans blocked voter protection bills, so it’s time to expose their war against democracy and what they’re really for – minority rule. Please hammer home the message that Republicans cannot win if people hear the truth. That they cannot win if people hear their objectives. That they are trying to win by playing the race card. That they cannot win if they speak honestly.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Tell us what your party is for.
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].
Republicans blocked voter protection bills, so it’s time to expose their war against democracy and what they’re really for – minority rule. Please hammer home the message that Republicans cannot win if people hear the truth. That they cannot win if people hear their objectives. That they are trying to win by playing the race card. That they cannot win if they speak honestly.
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].
Tell us what your party is for.
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 blocked voter protection bills, so it’s time to expose their war against democracy and what they’re really for – minority rule. Please hammer home the message that Republicans cannot win if people hear the truth. That they cannot win if people hear their objectives. That they are trying to win by playing the race card. That they cannot win if they speak honestly.
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 blocked voter protection bills, so it’s time to expose their war against democracy and what they’re really for – minority rule. Please hammer home the message that Republicans cannot win if people hear the truth. That they cannot win if people hear their objectives. That they are trying to win by playing the race card. That they cannot win if they speak honestly.
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].
Republicans blocked voter protection bills, so it’s time to expose their war against democracy and what they’re really for – minority rule. Please hammer home the message that Republicans cannot win if people hear the truth. That they cannot win if people hear their objectives. That they are trying to win by playing the race card. That they cannot win if they speak honestly.
ACTION 3: “GOOD TROUBLE”
Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, make some “good trouble.”
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday.
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org
Oregonians must protect democracy in the House by replacing retiring US Representative Peter DeFazio with another Democrat, replacing Democrat Kurt Schrader, the “Manchin of the House,” with a progressive, and electing a Democrat in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
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. And phone banks!
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:
Is U.S. democracy in danger? - The Washington Post
Opinion | The Republican Party’s agenda is only about regaining power - The Washington Post
What if Media Covered the War on Democracy Like an Actual War? – Mother Jones
The Decline of the GOP - The Atlantic
Let’s just say it: The Republicans are the problem. - The Washington Post
Opinion | Steve Bannon Is On to Something - The New York Times
Florida could shield whites from ‘discomfort’ of racist past | WFLA
Senate GOP to hide its legislative plans until after Election Day - MSNBC
Republicans Are Moving Rapidly to Cement Minority Rule. Blame the Constitution.- POLITICO
