DEMOCRACY IS ON THE BALLOT
American democracy is at risk in the midterms.
QUICK READ: President Biden said yesterday: “I wish I could say the assault on our democracy ended [on January 6]. But I cannot. As I stand here today, there are candidates running for every level of office in America: for Governor, for Congress, for Attorney General, for Secretary of State, who won't commit to accepting the results of the elections they're in. That is the path to chaos in America. It's unprecedented. It's unlawful. And, it is un-American . . . "
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
President Biden yesterday launched a new front in the fight to defend our democracy, and you’ve been drafted. In Joe Biden’s view, America’s democracy has given us a tool to settle issues of great national import – the ballot box.
The battle over who can vote and how those votes are counted may be the most important issues to be decided by Midterm elections since, well, ever. Over 300 election deniers are running for high offices, and dozens of bills are waiting in state houses to deny certain Americans right to vote.
Biden described this battle as “a struggle for the very soul of America” between ”the aspirations of the many and the greed and power of the few . . . What we’re doing now is going to determine whether democracy will long endure.”
He listed three objectives of the struggle:
The vote is not a partisan tool. It’s the instrument that has set the course for the nation for two centuries. We must protect it, and help everyone to vote.
America should not be led by thugs or those who would use fear or violence. We must speak out against political violence and voter intimidation.
Americans believe in democracy. Our forefathers have asked us to strive to make America not a perfect union but a “more perfect union.”
Convenient or not, we are all in this battle, and our democracy depends on every single one of us.
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 campaign to preserve democracy. Yes, gas and food are costly, but losing our country to billionaires and other lunatics will cause us to suffer more.
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 campaign to preserve democracy. Yes, gas and food are costly, but losing our country to billionaires and other lunatics will cause us to suffer more.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Please recognize that our democracy is in danger and start putting your country before your party.
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 campaign to preserve democracy. Yes, gas and food are costly, but losing our country to billionaires and other lunatics will cause us to suffer more.
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].
Please recognize that our democracy is in danger and start putting your country before your party.
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 campaign to preserve democracy. Yes, gas and food are costly, but losing our country to billionaires and other lunatics will cause us to suffer more.
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 campaign to preserve democracy. Yes, gas and food are costly, but losing our country to billionaires and other lunatics will cause us to suffer more.
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 campaign to preserve democracy. Yes, gas and food are costly, but losing our country to billionaires and other lunatics will cause us to suffer more.
ACTION THREE: Good Trouble.
GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
PHONEBANK FOR JAMIE McLEOD-SKINNER, WEDNESDAYS, 5:00-7:00pm,
CANVASS FOR JAMIE McLEOD-SKINNER, SATURDAYS,
FRIDAYS AT 4, WRITE LETTERS AND POSTCARDS IN GOOD COMPANY,
FRIDAYS, 4:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/274619/
INDIVISIBLE OREGON PHONEBANK WITH CENTER FOR COMMON GROUND,
MONDAY, NOV 7, 12:00noon-1:30pm:
Get involved with Extinction Rebellion or another group working on restraining climate change. For more information, click here.
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings
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
Opinion: Domestic terrorism is a threat we can't ignore by Rep. Bernie Thompson | CNN
Misinformation vs. Disinformation: A Guide to the 2022 Midterms — ProPublica
As Right-Wing Rhetoric Escalates, So Do Threats and Violence - The New York Times
Conservative Figures Spread Baseless Claims About Attack on Paul Pelosi - FactCheck.org
“We” Don’t Have a Political Violence Problem. Republicans Do. | The New Republic
