FRIDAY RECAP: JUNE 24, 2022
This week, three issues rose to the top of our Indivisible Oregon priority list:
1. TODAY’S GOP PRESENTS A DANGER TO DEMOCRACY
2. TRUMP ATTACKED ELECTION OFFICIALS AFTER REALIZING HE LOST
3. JUNETEENTH: A FEDERAL HOLIDAY FOR ALL AMERICANS
Overshadowing everything, however, was the unfolding saga of how Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican co-conspirators almost succeeded in subverting the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election—a conspiracy that began before November and continues until today.
As these hearings demonstrate, elections have consequences—which makes the upcoming midterms very important. Electing the right people will affect the peaceful transfer of power,..
FRIDAY RECAP: JUNE 17, 2022
This week Indivisible Oregon focused on three ongoing issues:
• The need for rational gun control
• Our duty to combat insurrectionists at home and to continue helping Ukraine protect its fledgling democracy
• The Supreme Court’s continued assault on our rights and institutions.
Overshadowing everything, however, was the unfolding saga of how Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican co-conspirators almost succeeded in subverting the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election—a conspiracy that began before November and continues until today.
As these hearings clearly demonstrate, elections have consequences—which makes the upcoming midterms very important. Electing the right people will affect the peaceful transfer of power, whether Congress passes meaningful gun reform or is able to blunt the efforts of the Supreme Court’s ultraconservative supermajority to take us back to the 1950s.
FRIDAY RECAP: JUNE 10, 2022
If you do nothing else over the next several days, you must find a way to watch the first public hearing of the January 6 Committee which was held Thursday evening. For two riveting hours, the Committee presented an overview of the substance of this and future hearings and provided video, recorded and live testimony. Even though you may have watched the events unfold last January and followed news reports about the Committee’s activities, the hearing refocused us on the horrendous attack on our Capitol and those whose jobs it was it defend it and the Congresspeople inside who were trying to do their jobs. It also presented new compelling evidence of the coordination between President Trump and his supporters.
Other than urging our representatives to publicize the January 6 Committee hearings, this week Indivisible Oregon again focused on the continuing carnage being caused by guns that should be outlawed in the hands of people who shouldn’t have them and the ongoing war in Ukraine—all of which require additional calls to our representatives.
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON TRUMP’S ATTEMPTED COUP START TODAY AT 5PM
On January 6, 2021, a mob, brought to Washington by MAGA Republicans, stormed the Capitol at Trump’s behest, and attempted to stop the certification of Biden’s election. Backed up by over 140,000 documents and 1,000 witnesses, the Committee will demonstrate how Trump and MAGA Republicans engaged in a systematic, orchestrated, criminal conspiracy to subvert our democracy that began well before election night and continues until today. Understanding its breadth and depth and their subsequent misinformation campaign will help make Americans intelligent voters in 2022 and beyond.
Appeasement in Ukraine is not an Option
For some weeks now leaders in several Western capitals have floated the idea of a cease-fire as a first step toward ending the war in Ukraine, even as Putin has intensified the scale of the war and rejected serious negotiations unless Ukraine agrees to cede the Donbas region to Russia. President Zelenskyy has unequivocally rejected this “peace for land” formulation. In the face of Russia’s intransigence, NATO nations must double-down on their military and economic support for Ukraine
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