FRIDAY RECAP: June 3, 2022

Guns. And children. This week Indivisible Oregon, and all of us, were consumed with the slaughter of innocents. Everyday our Daily Actions drilled deeper into the politics of guns, and it doesn’t look good for reasonable gun controls even though the public, including gun owners and Republican voters support it. We also explored the weapon Republican Senators use to block almost all legislation, no matter how popular it is. And, as we observe the political minority shredding abortion care rights, we see that America has been kidnapped by an unstoppable minority who, after decades, are holding nearly all the levers of power.

This week, our motivations for action focused on:

May 31: It’s Not A Doorway Problem. It’s a 400 Million Gun Problem. — Indivisible Oregon Why have we allowed the GOP to hijack our nation? Most Americans favor universal background checks. There are literally dozens of measures we could take tomorrow to decrease gun violence significantly. It’s not rocket science. But 50 Senators will not budge—will not even vote—on reform. Call them out. Their hands are bloody.

JUNE 1: CAN THE UNDEMOCRATIC, UNREPRESENTATIVE SENATE BE SAVED? — Indivisible Oregon - In 2020 Americans gave Democrats control of Congress and the White House. Since then, the House has passed numerous popular bills that would make us and our economy healthier and our democracy stronger. Almost all have died in the 50-50 Senate, which, despite the Democrats’ slim majority, is controlled by MAGA Republicans, who’ve weaponized the filibuster to kill anything Democrats and the majority of Americans want. Unless voters turn out in historic numbers in November to elect more Democratic Senators and Representatives, the Senate’s anti-democratic nature will continue to make governing impossible.

JUNE 2: THE THREAT TO RATIONAL GUN CONTROL — Indivisible Oregon - Just this spring, Democrats in the House passed bills to alleviate shortages of baby formula, investigate American terrorist organizations, slow climate change, and strengthen voting that the majority of Americans wanted. Each bill died in the Senate which is controlled by Senators representing a small fraction of the US population. This minority has not only locked up Congress, they have also captured the Supreme Court. And as states change who can vote and how votes are counted, these MAGA Republicans could recapture the White House. While Democrats are proposing solutions, MAGA Republican leaders have been building a wide and potentially violent base by using lies designed to keep the culture wars aflame. These man-made culture wars, like the mask-mandate fight, always intentionally obscures the duties individuals have to all members of their community . 

All of these issues must be faced by Democrats as they prepare for the extremely important midterm elections, which will determine whether we can continue moving towards a government that works for all Americans, not just the rich and powerful. We must impress upon our Members of Congress the need to sharpen their message and regularly repeat it–outlining Democratic successes in understandable terms and clearly painting the massive differences between them and obstructionist Trump Republicans.

So, no matter how often you’ve called this week, commit to calling some more. And whatever the script, keep stressing the need to remind voters how Democratss are working to improve our lives.

Here are topics from which to choose: 

• May 31: It’s Not A Doorway Problem. It’s a 400 Million Gun Problem. — Indivisible Oregon

• JUNE 1: CAN THE UNDEMOCRATIC, UNREPRESENTATIVE SENATE BE SAVED? — Indivisible Oregon

• JUNE 2: THE THREAT TO RATIONAL GUN CONTROL — Indivisible Oregon

Now, pick up your phone, click on your chosen link(s), and push for a government that works for all Americans.