ISSUES BEHIND THE GUN ARGUMENTS
Even before Buffalo and Uvalde, 240 mass shootings were recorded in America so far this year. But those two broke our hearts. So gun reform is back on the agenda, although it’s facing a united and nearly undefeatable Republican opposition. The next few weeks will see news about the NRA’s grip on our democracy. And it may, finally, cast a light on the teen mental health crisis.
FRIDAY RECAP: June 3, 2022
Guns. And children. Indivisible Oregon was consumed with the slaughter of innocents. Everyday we drilled deeper into the politics and it doesn’t look good for reasonable gun controls even though the public, including gun owners and Republicans support it. We then explored the weapon Republicans use to block legislation. And finally we reported that, like the shredding of abortion rights, America has been kidnapped by an unstoppable minority who, after decades, are holding nearly all the levers of power.
THE THREAT TO RATIONAL GUN CONTROL
The debate over whether more guns increase safety has been lost. The number of guns in the US has soared to 400 million, tracked by a parallel rise in gun deaths. While Democrats are proposing solutions, MAGA Republicans have been building a wide and potentially violent base by using lies designed to keep the culture wars aflame.
CAN THE UNDEMOCRATIC, UNREPRESENTATIVE SENATE BE SAVED?
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 Republican , 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.
It’s Not A Doorway Problem. It’s a 400 Million Gun Problem.
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. 50 Senators will not budge—will not even vote—on reform. Call them out. Their hands are bloody.
FRIDAY RECAP: may 27, 2022
Every week, Indivisible Oregon brings you solid news stories and urges you to take on important issues. The news adds up to one thing. “Christian patriots” are close to making America a nation ruled by a minority of the extremely rich and extremely religious. We all need to get involved and fight for our America. Pick a topic and call your member of Congress (scripts provided). Here are topics from which to choose:
MAY 24: SUPREME COURT THREATENS WOMEN’S SOCIAL & HEALTH ADVANCES
MAY 25: Biden Must Defuse the Debt Machine
MAY 26: THE GOP IS SABOTAGING UKRAINE
THE GOP IS SABOTAGING UKRAINE
Biden’s finest moment as President has been his leadership in supporting Ukraine and enlisting countries in economic warfare against Russia. It is an enormous and dangerous commitment to democracy. Unfortunately, that’s being challenged in Congress by a growing number of Republican obstructionists. Is Ukraine about to become the next fabricated culture war battleground?
Biden Must Defuse the Debt Machine
For most, borrowing was the only way to afford to pay for the skyrocketing costs of college or vocational schools and have a chance to improve their lives. Many were defrauded or ill-advised by private creditors and federal student loan services. Today the average student’s debt is more than $36,000, and for African Americans the figure is 50% higher, expanding the racial wealth gap. Despite public support for debt forgiveness and a campaign promise,Biden has failed to move.
SUPREME COURT THREATENS WOMEN’S SOCIAL & HEALTH ADVANCES
Scientific evidence demonstrates that when abortions are available and accessible, maternal mortality’s lower, teen births and marriages are fewer, women are more likely to finish high school, attend college, and obtain higher-paying jobs, and their children are less likely to be single parents or welfare recipients and more likely to graduate from college. The Supreme Court is denying women and their families the right to succeed and our society to benefit.
FRIDAY RECAP: may 20, 2022
The message from this week’s midterm primaries is clearly that, this November, the life of our democracy is on the ballot.
Every week, we try to bring you stories and give you actions you can take on important issues. But they add up to one thing: our democracy is taking a beating, And we all need to get involved and resuscitate America.
May 17: THIS OUT-OF-CONTROL SUPREME COURT MUST BE STOPPED
MAY 18: THE REPUBLICAN ROLE IN THE BUFFALO SLAUGHTER
MAY 19: Behind The Mommy Mask: the “mothers” fighting the War Against Women
Behind The Mommy Mask: the “mothers” fighting the War Against Women
Popular legislation about reproductive freedom, universal healthcare, federally subsidized childcare, and more favored by most women is being torn apart systematically by rightwing so-called “non-partisan” women’s groups that are funded by rightwing anti-feminist billionaires and corporations. We need to make this dark money public and keep our private lives private.
THE REPUBLICAN ROLE IN THE BUFFALO SLAUGHTER
Republicans have been using racism since Nixon’s day. Now, they’ve weaponized a new racist conspiracy theory to further frighten White people. The Great Replacement Theory plays on fears that minorities are replacing White culture and power. It has become an “engine of racist terror.” Racists marched in Charlottesville, VA, shouting, “we will not be replaced.” Now they’re shooting “replacers” in New Zealand, El Paso, Charlestown, and Buffalo. This rhetoric is lethal.
THIS OUT-OF-CONTROL SUPREME COURT MUST BE STOPPED
Overturning Roe v. Wade will clearly demonstrate that MAGA Republicans have packed the Supreme Court with ideologues committed to imposing their patriarchal, conservative Christian vision on America—an indication that we will soon be living in a theocracy, not a democracy. Americans will lose our reproductive freedom immediately and other privacy-based constitutional rights soon thereafter. And no other precedents will be safe from these ideological zealots. The only way to stop this runaway train is by passing the Judiciary Act, which will rebalance SCOTUS by adding four justices who will honor the constitution and safeguard our democracy.
FRIDAY RECAP: may 13, 2022
Democracy relies on the wisdom of a majority. This week we see the danger and destruction when a country’s direction is set by a minority or even one person. So this week, our Indivisible Oregon’s Daily Actions focused on:
May 10: CONGRESS MUST PROTECT WOMEN’S RIGHT TO CONTROL THEIR BODIES - Read it here: https://www.indivisibleor.org/daily-actions/2022-05-10
MAY 11: PUTIN’S WAR INTENSIFIES WORLD FOOD CRISIS - Read it here: https://www.indivisibleor.org/daily-actions/2022-05-12
MAY 12: CHRISTIAN NATIONALISTS SAY: “ROME WASN’T BURNED IN A DAY” BUT REVOKING ROE IS START - Read it here https://www.indivisibleor.org/daily-actions/2022-05-12
“rome wasn’t burned in a day,” but revoking roe is a start
Conservative evangelicals have engaged in decades of cultural battles and often lost. But one of their many crusades has been to insert enough like-minded Justices to capture the Supreme Court. Trump gave them three and solidified ultra-conservative, even biblical-tinged rule. If the Court reverses Roe, overruling decades of precedent and even massive public opinion, the future of our culture, politics, race relations, poverty programs, and climate will be dictated by a handful of unelected, untruthful, and unaccountable Christians.