The Power of Many - Minnesota

Friday, June 9, 2017

Friday 6/9 Call to Action

Friday
Yesterday, I read that constituent calls to representatives and senators have been slowly dwindling down to pre-Trump numbers. This news is a bummer but I understand why it could be happening. Calling can be inconvenient, and uncomfortable. I also think the issues have become more complicated. But our voices have power. When we demand good decisions from our legislators en masse, they are more likely to listen. The GOP controls the White House, Senate, and Congress yet hardly any bills have been passed. The power of our collective voice has a lot to do with that. Let’s make today the day we recommit to fighting for our country and its future. Dedicate yourself to (at least) one action each day: a phone call, an office visit, a letter/post-card, an email, a comment on your MoC’s Facebook post or tweet, a letter to the editor, or Resistbot. I know it’s hard but what we are fighting for is worth it.

1. AHCA
Senator Mitch McConnell is trying to fast-track the American Health Care Act through the Senate. He has implemented Senate “Rule 14” that allows them to skip the committee process and move on to a vote. (https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS22309.pdf) The goal is to vote on it by the end of June! We can not let them get away with this. Sens. Franken and Klobuchar are not architects or supporters of the AHCA but we can still call them and bolster their resistance to the bill. I don’t think there are very many senators that feel good about the content of the bill (not that they would say that in public).

http://www.politico.com/…/senate-republicans-obamacare-repe…

Senate GOP is going to try to push the AHCA through by violating the Byrd Rule. What’s that you say? Learn more here:https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resource/byrd-rule/

Here’s what you can say when you call our senators:
*Tell your Senators you don’t want them to break decades of precedent in order to pass this terrible bill. Specifically, your Senators should:
Ensure the Budget Committee produces a list of provisions that potentially violate the Byrd rule and then go over that list again with a fine-tooth comb.

*Raise a point of order against provisions that violate the Byrd rule.

*Follow the ruling of the Senate Parliamentarian on questionable or controversial provisions.

2. Infrastructure
I think we all agree that investing in infrastructure is a good thing. How to accomplish this goal is another thing. From Rogan’s List:
Representative Ted Lieu has introduced the "Supporting efforts to enact a bold jobs and infrastructure package that benefits all Americans, not just billionaires" (H.Con.Res. 63) concurrent resolution in the House http://bit.ly/2rLISl5 This resolution outlines progressive principles which should be taken into consideration and be evident in any infrastructure plan that is introduced to the House. Let's take a look at the plan http://bit.ly/2rLwAt4 and let our Representatives know that we want them to cosponsor and support this resolution.

Here’s some more information about Trump’s budget and infrastructure ideas: https://www.indivisibleguide.com/…/trump-budget-affects-in…/

Call your member of Congress and let them know they should support HCR 63. I think I’ve posted this before but here’s a script for you.
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/…/tell-house-representati…/

Franken-202-224-5641
Klobuchar-202-224-3244
House of Representative switchboard: (202) 224-3121
MN Legislators: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legislators
Resistbot: https://resistbot.io/
Governor Dayton- https://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/

Out and About

Sunday, June 11 10 am-1:30 pm
Equality March for Unity and Pride - Twin Cities
John Ireland Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102, United States
https://www.facebook.com/events/189880528157045/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%2223%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D

Sunday, June 11, 2-8 pm
Pollinate Community
ColorWheel Gallery
319 W 46th St, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55419
https://www.facebook.com/events/624137421113256/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&source=4&action_history=null

Monday, June 12, 6-7:30 pm
Training on Strategic Communications for Activists and Others
Rasmussen College - Eagan Campus
3500 Federal Drive, Eagan, Minnesota 55122
https://www.facebook.com/events/146467355897800/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&source=4&action_history=null

Sunday, June 18, 1-3 pm
Swing Blue Party
5940 Oakland Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55417
https://www.facebook.com/events/1375182445891516/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%2223%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D

Sat-Sun June 24-25
2017 Twin Cities Pride Festival
Loring Park
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403, 55404
https://www.facebook.com/events/712402268933911/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%2223%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D

Thanks for sharing this clip, Caren!

he invites then FBI director James Comey to the White House

-10:00

908,719 Views

The Daily Show

8 hrs

James Comey testifies in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee on the Trump-Flynn-Russia saga.

►Full episode: http://on.cc.com/2rHuWKB

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Thursday 6/8 Call to Action

Thursday
Well, picking today’s call to action is easy.

1. High level Justice Deparment and FBI Officials, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, National Security Agency Director Admiral Mike Rogers, acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee yesterday. What was remarkable about this event was the fact that Rogers and Coats refused to answer questions for no valid legal reason. This refusal to participate is disturbing and very unusual.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/e…/no-comment-russia-investigation…

Want a great recap of this? Watch Rachel Maddow explain it. Senator Angus King is pretty spectacular here.
Trump officials refuse to answer Senate questions about Trump http://www.msnbc.com/…/trump-officials-refuse-to-answer-sen… via @msnbc
and this:
'Watergate-level': Sen Wyden on Trump actions in Comey testimony http://www.msnbc.com/…/wyden-on-trump-actions-watergate-lev… via @msnbc

2. James Comey Testifies-James Comey Testifies-James Comey Testifies

Have you heard? Former FBI Director, James Comey will testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee today. Are you going to watch? This is very compelling.

Yesterday, Comey’s opening statement was released for us to read. The remarks detail meetings between Trump and Comey. Check out Comey’s statement here (It’s an easy read) along with some commentary about the gravity of the remarks.
https://www.lawfareblog.com/initial-comments-james-comeys-w…

Want a recap of the different Russia investigations? Check out this infographic from Arkansas Democrats.https://twitter.com/arkdems/status/872589931356594176

Here is Seth Abramson describing Obstruction of Justice:https://mobile.twitter.com/sethabramson/…/872532952055513088

And here is Rachel Maddow (you should just watch all of yesterday’s episode, it was really good!)
Four key points in Comey's opening statement to Senate Intel http://www.msnbc.com/…/four-key-points-in-comey-s-opening-s… via @msnbc

Your call to action today is to watch Comey’s testimony (live or the highlights later). Will today begin the turning of the tide?

Out and About

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Wednesday 6/7 Call to Action

Wednesday.
I am not sure how this one passed under my radar. (Maybe that was Congress’ intention.) This will be a call to action for you early risers like me since the vote happens today, 6/7.

1. Financial Choice Act (HR 10)
This bill is packaged as Wall Street reform and financial accountability. What’s inside, however, threatens many consumer safeguards that were enacted shortly after the financial crisis in 2008. (Remember that awful time? Many of our GOP legislators seem to have forgotten.) It would weaken the rights of shareholders and negatively affect regulatory powers. The Indivisible Guide does a great job of explaining it so check this out for more information.
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/…/financial-choice-act-hr…/
If you’re like me and talking about money and finances makes you tongue-tied, Indivisible even provided a script for your early morning call.
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resource/oppose-choice-act/

If you like to get your information from the source, here’s a link to the bill:https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/10

Want to read what other people think about HR 10? Check out Countable’s “Pros and Cons” section. https://www.countable.us/…/hr10-115-financial-choice-act-of…

This bill is being voted on today so remember to call your representative early. Many of Minnesota’s U.S. representatives have been trying to sell this bill on social media (Facebook and Twitter). Take some time to comment on their posts. Or tweet your own comment! Add @IndivisibleMN and I will do my best to retweet you.

2. The American Health Care Act – Still a Problem
Boy, is it easy to lose track of everything that has happened in the past six months. While we are busy looking elsewhere, the Senate is quietly working on their version of the AHCA. Keep in mind, the White House wants Senate to vote on their version of the AHCA by the end of July. Today would be a good day to call our senators and remind them that we have not forgotten about this terrible health care bill.

Here are some updates from the Senate:http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/senate-weighs-o…/…/2625116

Check out this handy site from FamiliesUSA. They have taken on the difficult task of keeping track of the way our legislators are dismantling the ACA piece by piece. Check it out here: http://familiesusa.org/p…/affordable-care-act-attack-tracker

Finally, here are the top 10 worst things about the AHCA from Indivisible Guide https://www.indivisibleguide.com/…/10-worst-things-trumpca…/

I almost forgot, Andy Slavitt posted this on Twitter. Two NJ lawmakers who changed their vote on the AHCA were buying and selling health care stocks. Whaaaaaat? Read it here: http://www.nj.com/…/nj_lawmakers_invested_in_health_industr…

Out and About

The Beatles - Revolution

The Beatles 1 Video Collection is Out Now. Get your copy here: http://thebeatles1.lnk.to/DeluxeBluRay“When you talk about destruction, don’t you know that y...

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Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Tuesday 6/6 Call to Action

Tuesday
Good day to you.

1. Privatization of Infrastructure and Air Traffic
On Monday, Trump announced that he would like to privatize the U.S. air traffic control system; a busy system that is now managed by the Federal Aviation Administration. There is a general consensus that the current air traffic control is antiquated and could use an upgrade to GPS monitoring. The argument is over how and who should implement those changes. Trump wants the new system to be run by a 13 member board, with the majority of the seats filled by representatives of major airlines. This is an idea that airlines support. (With the exception of Delta Airlines- they believe this move will increase traveler’s costs.) The concern is that these airline representatives will act in the best interest of their companies’ profits and not the consumers. This could lead to higher fees, and decreased access for smaller airlines and private planes.

Learn more about it here: http://www.npr.org/…/trump-announces-plan-to-privatize-air-…

Here’s an article listing the pros and cons:https://www.washingtonpost.com/…/747debfc-4a10-11e7-987c-42…

Here’s what they think about it in Alaska, a state that supports small aviation companies. https://www.adn.com/…/what-the-trump-administrations-plans…/

The air traffic control upgrade falls within the sphere of Trump’s new infrastructure agenda. Again, I think everyone is on board with improving America’s infrastructure. Unfortunately, Trump wants to achieve this by allowing private companies to do the work while being subsidized by tax dollars. This is a recipe for disaster, the details of which are laid out nicely here: https://www.indivisibleguide.com/…/trumps-billionaire-infr…/

Congress has the power to decide whether this idea goes forward. We want them to support House Concurrent Resolution 63, an infrastructure bill that gives jobs to the American people not billionaires. https://www.congress.gov/…/house-concurrent-resolu…/63/text… I don’t think Representatives McCollum, Peterson, or Walz have signed on yet so if they represent you, please give them a call. And of course, if you call Lewis, Paulsen, or Emmer your own, give them a call too.

#millionsofjobs https://www.millionsofjobs.org/\

2. Regulatory Accountability Act
The Regulatory Accountability Act is one of those nasty, confusing bills (like the REINS Act) that is difficult to understand and does terrible things to American people in order to benefit big businesses. The RAA managed to sneak through Congress last January without much fanfare. Now it is up at the Senate.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5…
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/951
From my understanding, the goal of this bill would be to be to put the cost benefits of any new regulation over its ability to protect the consumer. Like I said, it’s kind of confusing. If passed, the RAA will weaken the abilities of agencies to enforce things like the Clean Air and Water Acts, and the Consumer Product Safety Act.
Learn more about it here: http://blog.ucsusa.org/…/5-reasons-why-the-regulatory-accou…
Or here: https://intpolicydigest.org/…/scariest-piece-federal-legis…/
In the interest of being fair and balanced, here’s how the conservative papers are describing RAA: http://thehill.com/…/334136-separating-fact-from-fiction-in…

Minnesota has awesome senators but it can’t hurt to give them a call and tell them to stay strong against this appalling bill.

3. Governor Dayton
Are you ready for some good news? Yeah!! Governor Dayton has had a difficult week. Dayton is facing some serious backlash from the state GOP for his bold moves to protect Minnesotans. Catch up here:

http://m.startribune.com/why-i-did-it-gov-mark-dayton-o…/…/…
and
http://www.startribune.com/mn-legislature-will-likely-su…/…/

In the words of the great mullet wearing Matthew Wilder, ain’t nothing gonna break [Dayton’s] stride. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28KobNbbI2s ) Or maybe Dayton’s more like the honey badger. Anyways, yesterday Dayton went ahead and added Minnesota to the U.S. Climate Alliance, committing to uphold the ideals of the Paris Accord. Now that is some news I can get behind. Well done governor! Be sure to call and thank him.
Check out his statement here: https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/?id=1055-298415

Out and About
Sunday, June 11, 2 - 8 pm
Pollinate Community
ColorWheel Gallery
319 W 46th St, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55419
https://www.facebook.com/events/624137421113256/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&source=4&action_history=null

Ocean Park Standoff - Good News (Official Video)

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Monday, June 5, 2017

Monday 6/5 CTA

I am a bit short on time this morning. Today's call to action: Oppose the Wall Street Deregulation CHOICE Act. Here's a script:

https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resource/oppose-choice-act/?link_id=14

I like to deal in numbers. The president's approval has declined to 37% in Gallup. That means his agenda may stall, other Republicans may challenge in the primary, and that he may resort to increasingly dangerous behavior. See the graph here:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_trump_job_approval-6179.html

Franken-202-224-5641
Klobuchar-202-224-3244
House of Representative switchboard: (202) 224-3121
MN Legislators: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legislators
Resistbot: https://resistbot.io/
Governor Dayton- https://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/

Friday, June 2, 2017

Friday 6/2 CTA

Friday
Yesterday’s news of Trump’s decision to pull America from the Paris climate agreement has me feeling defeated. It’s like the America I love is slipping through my hands like sand. No matter how hard I try, important things are getting lost.

1. The Paris Climate Agreement
Yesterday in the White House Rose Garden, Trump announced that he would pull the United States out of the Paris agreement. The dismay of U.S. citizens, environmentalists, companies, and other world leaders was palpable. Why did Trump decide to do this? He believes the agreement would hurt companies and decrease job opportunities in the U.S. He also believes that it is unfair that America has to contribute so much money ($3 billion to help developing countries). The U.S. is the second biggest carbon producer after China. With the U.S. out of the Paris agreement, the hopes of limiting the rise of Earth’s temperature to 2 degrees Celsius are dim.

Despite Trump’s decision to leave, many countries have stated publicly that they will continue to participate in the agreement. The reality is, Trump has hurt the planet, hurt America’s roll as a world leader, and opened a space for other counties to take our place at the table. Instead of saving jobs, Trump may have stunted the growth of America’s technology and renewable energy industries, providers of good, high paying jobs.
Read more here:
https://www.nytimes.com/…/trump-paris-climate-agreement.htm…

Or here: http://www.npr.org/…/5-things-that-could-change-when-the-u-…

Perhaps the lesson of the Trump administration will be that America’s greatness really lies within each of us. In the absence of a leader, we can and will lead ourselves. Despite Trump’s plan to withdraw from the Paris accord, many companies, local governments, and universities have committed to submitting their own pledge to the United Nations. Read about that here: https://www.nytimes.com/…/american-cities-climate-standards…

Check out what some big U.S. companies have to say:https://www.nytimes.com/…/climate-change-tesla-corporations…

Here are statements from the Governor and Lt. Governor:https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/?id=1055-298010

So what can we do? We can call Governor Dayton and encourage him to join the U.S. Climate Alliance (http://time.com/…/climate-alliance-paris-accord-new-york-c…/). We can call our U.S. representative and senators and ask them what they can do to support the reduction of carbon emissions in Minnesota. We can call our mayors and state legislators and ask them what they will do to make green choices at the local level. What can you do at home?
*Change your electricity supplier to one who provides energy from 100% renewable sources.
*Many businesses have committed to become carbon neutral: support them—and let them know why!
*Make your next car purchase a hybrid or electric one.
*If you travel, some airlines will offset your share of CO2 emissions for a reasonable fee.
*Plant a native garden or a rain garden. Blue Thumb can help and may even pay you $$! http://www.blue-thumb.org/
*Or check out this list for some other easy ideas:https://greatist.com/happiness/ways-help-environment

Trump’s decision to leave the Paris accord is despicable, but don’t let it distract you from the other issues at hand. Trump’s involvement with Russia is still a problem. (Like the fact that the Trump administration looked to lift sanctions on Russia shortly after arriving in Washington- http://www.nbcnews.com/…/former-diplomats-trump-team-sought…). The AHCA is still terrible. The Trump administration is still trying to sabotage the ACA (http://www.dailykos.com/…/-The-IRS-is-NOT-collecting-the-In…). It’s time to eat your Wheaties folks. This is going to be a long haul.

Out and About

Saturday 6/3 10 am -12 pm
Al Franken signs copies of Al Franken: Giant of the Senate
Content - Purveyors of New and Used Books
314 Division St S, Northfield, Minnesota 55057
https://www.facebook.com/events/792883460870820/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&source=4&action_history=null

Saturday 6/3 10:45 am - 12:45 pm
Stand Up for Truth
1559 E McLean Ave, St Paul, MN 55106-6612
https://www.facebook.com/events/1866031133614485/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&source=4&action_history=null

Saturday 6/3 10 am-12:30 pm
Action Together Twin Cities - Summer Action Fair
Robert Bruininks Hall
222 Pleasant St SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
https://www.facebook.com/events/1887301198176093/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&source=4&action_history=null

Adele - Tired (MTV Live) May 1st, 2009 - YouTube

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Thursday, June 1, 2017

Thursday 6/1 Call to Action

Thursday
Welcome everyone to meteorological summer!

1. Paris Climate Agreement
The United States is one of the top carbon producers on the globe (the other is China) and because of this, has an obligation to lead the planet in addressing global warming. Part of that responsibility includes participating in the Paris Agreement which is a multi-country (196 of them) agreement to reduce greenhouse gasses. Learn more about it here:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Agreement

What a shame it is to learn that today, Trump may officially pull the US out of the Paris Agreement. Instead of leading, America will join Syria and Nicaragua as the only developed countries not to participate. Is America’s roll as a great world leader coming to an end? This decision certainly does not help. Not to mention, the long term consequences of delaying action against global warming.

Here is more information: https://www.washingtonpost.com/…/if-trump-quits-paris-cli…/…

Or this: https://www.nytimes.com/…/us-biggest-carbon-polluter-in-his…

For some balance, here’s Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/…/paris-climate-agreement-trump-expe…

I feel so ashamed and disheartened by Trump’s inability to see the dire consequences of his actions. He will not pay for his choice, but our next generations certainly will. Take time this morning (Trump’s announcement is expected to come around 3 pm eastern time) to call your representative and senators and let them know that you care about our planet. Tell them that the US must remain vigilant in its efforts to reduce global warming.

2. Draining the Swamp?
Yesterday the Office of Government Ethics reported that Trump has issued ethics waivers to 16 of his staff members. These waivers allow Trump administration employees to work on policies that they lobbied for in the past or continue to conduct business with their former private-sector jobs. This goes against Trump’s promise to limit the roll of lobbyists in Washington. This doesn’t look good. Read more here: https://mobile.nytimes.com/…/lobbyist-ethics-waivers-trump-…

Or here: http://abcnews.go.com/…/white-house-granted-14-ethics-waive…

3. Video Clip Time!
Because videos are fun (and also because I am late for work)

:) Check out these clips.

Interview wit Hillary Clinton:https://twitter.com/maddowblog/status/870095175699361792

Health Care Town Hall in Ohio with Andy Slavitt:https://www.facebook.com/ofa.oh/videos/10154438066581175/?autoplay_reason=gatekeeper&video_container_type=4&video_creator_product_type=0&app_id=350685531728&live_video_guests=0

Sen. Al Franken discussing AG Sessions: http://www.politicususa.com/…/al-franken-reveals-jeff-sessi…

Out and About
Thursday 6/1, 5:30- 8:30 pm
SD54 Meet DFL Candidates for Governor
Cottage Grove VFW Red Barn located at 9260 E Point Douglas Rd S, Cottage Grove
https://www.facebook.com/events/237820063364313/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&source=4&action_history=null
Thursday 6/1, 7-9 pm
LWV Dakota County Healthcare Forum
Nativity Episcopal Church
15601 Maple Island Rd, Burnsville, Minnesota 55306
https://www.facebook.com/events/1932441393637471/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&source=4&action_history=null
Saturday 6/3 10 am-12:30 pm
Action Together Twin Cities - Summer Action Fair
Robert Bruininks Hall
222 Pleasant St SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
https://www.facebook.com/events/1887301198176093/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&source=4&action_history=null

USA for Africa - We are the World

25.6.2009 - Michael Jackson died 50 years old.... great singer in the past, "broken soul" in the present... USA for Africa just cool to do that and good song...

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