PRESIDENT BIDEN’S FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY
“Too much of what is happening today in our country is not normal,” President Biden, Sept. 1, 2021.
QUICK READ: Voting and helping others vote is the job ahead of us, all of us. We’ve heard time and again that each upcoming election is the most important. This one, however, deserves that title. As President Biden said last week: “For a long time, we’ve told ourselves that American democracy is guaranteed, but it’s not . . . We have to defend it, protect it, stand up for it - each and every one of us.” That starts today, right now.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
President Biden reminded us last week America has reached “an inflection point – one of those moments that determines the shape of everything that’s to come after.”
Speaking outside Independence Hall, Biden exposed the dangers we face:
Trump and the extremists he inspires have captured the Republican party.
They don’t respect the Constitution, personal rights, the rule of law, or free and fair elections.
They use anger, chaos and lies, all for profit and power.
What do they so vehemently oppose? Democrats are fighting for the right to choose, the right to privacy, the right to contraception, and the right to marry whom you love.
Biden and Democrats have “embarked on a decade of rebuilding:”
Passing the largest recovery package since FDR to lift America from the depths of Covid.
Funding the biggest infrastructure investment since President Eisenhower that will rebuild roads, bridges, ports, and water systems.
Enacting the most expansive climate initiative ever.
Taking meaningful steps on gun safety, the cost of prescription drugs, and making health care more affordable.
Those are your choices in November. We all must work to motivate others to register and to vote. This isn’t the last fight we must win, but we must win November’s election.
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].
Please continue to list and explain all the Democrats’ accomplishments, despite having only a 50-50 Senate. Democrats focus on making America better for everyone, rather than setting groups against one another so white males will prevail.
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].
Please continue to list and explain all the Democrats’ accomplishments, despite having only a 50-50 Senate. Democrats focus on making America better for everyone, rather than setting groups against one another so white males will prevail.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
The Grand Old Party will disappear if you don’t start listening to what Americans want and need, rather than only amplifying frightening lies. Already reports are appearing in your state about the work – on roads, bridges, internet, and more – that will be starting shortly. Just say you support that.
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].
Please continue to list and explain all the Democrats’ accomplishments, despite having only a 50-50 Senate. Democrats focus on making America better for everyone, rather than setting groups against one another so white males will prevail.
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].
Dreamers are valuable pandemic frontline workers, students, The Grand Old Party will disappear if you don’t start listening to what Americans want and need, rather than only amplifying frightening lies. Already reports are appearing in your district about the work – on roads, bridges, internet, and more – that will be starting shortly. Just say you support that.
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].
Please continue to list and explain all the Democrats’ accomplishments, despite having only a 50-50 Senate. Democrats focus on making America better for everyone, rather than setting groups against one another so white males will prevail.
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].
Please continue to list and explain all the Democrats’ accomplishments, despite having only a 50-50 Senate. Democrats focus on making America better for everyone, rather than setting groups against one another so white males will prevail.
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].
Please continue to list and explain all the Democrats’ accomplishments, despite having only a 50-50 Senate. Democrats focus on making America better for everyone, rather than setting groups against one another so white males will prevail.
ACTION THREE: Good Trouble.
GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
Fridays at 4 - Letter and Postcard Writing — Indivisible Oregon.
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday. (DELAYED THIS AUGUST. WATCH THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.)
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org
Work to protect democracy in the House by electing Democrats Val Hoyle in District 4, Jamie McLeod-Skinner in District 5, and Andrea Salinas in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon.
FURTHER READING
President Biden Full Speech on Democracy - YouTube
Read the Full Transcript of Biden’s Speech in Philadelphia - The New York Times
GOP Is 'Dangerous,' Former Pence Adviser Defends Biden's Anti-MAGA Speech
Joe Biden’s This-Is-Not-Normal Speech on the Rising Danger of MAGA Trumpists | The New Yorker
A Trump-led movement centered in victimhood sees Biden’s speech as an attack - The Washington Post
Cook Report: GOP control of the House no longer "foregone conclusion"
