Saturday, October 31, 2009

A congressman with guts

Rep. Alan Grayson has been a progressive champion and a leader in fighting for strong health care reform. Let's help him win re-election with a donation to his one-day fundraiser. Can you chip in $20?

Click here to donate

Dear MoveOn member,

A year ago, when MoveOn members supported Florida congressional candidate Alan Grayson, we predicted that if he were elected, he'd be "a bold fighter in the House."

Boy, was that an understatement!

In his first year in Congress, Rep. Grayson has proven himself to be not only a progressive champion but a real leader when it comes to showing Democrats how to stand up and fight the Right.

He declared on the floor of the House that the Republican health care plan was essentially, "Don't get sick. And if you do get sick, die quickly." When Republicans attacked him, he apologized—to the people in this country who had died because they lacked health insurance.1

His outspoken progressive stances have made him a top Republican target. And given his closely-divided swing district, his election is rated a "toss-up."2 So, his campaign has organized a coordinated one-day fundraiser they're calling a "money bomb" this Monday, a year before Election Day 2010. Chip in $20 now to Grayson's campaign and we'll deliver your contribution as part of Monday's effort:

https://pol.moveon.org/give/grayson.html?id=17759-10220574-FXGfWDx&t=3

Grayson is fighting to end the war in Afghanistan, and aggressive on stopping Wall Street crime and reforming the Federal Reserve. And he pushed back against the anti-ACORN witch-hunt by pointing out hypocrisy among conservatives who gave Halliburton a pass for much worse offenses than anything ACORN was accused of. While not everything Grayson does is aligned with the progressive movement, most of it is.  Grayson is a starkly original leader.

Let's show Alan Grayson that when he stands up and fights for us, we've got his back. Please contribute today:

https://pol.moveon.org/give/grayson.html?id=17759-10220574-FXGfWDx&t=4

Thank you.

–Adam, Joan, Kat, Wes, and the rest of the team

P.S. Want to see Grayson in action? Watch this awesome video of him standing up to Republican bullying: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H3gND4M9HA. And check out his campaign website at http://www.graysonforcongress.com.

Sources:

1. "Rep. Alan Grayson apologizes (just not to the Republicans)," Daily Kos, September 30, 2009. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85052&id=17759-10220574-FXGfWDx&t=5

2. Cook Political Report, 10/29/09. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85053&id=17759-10220574-FXGfWDx&t=6 (requires subscription)



PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 31, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Liar, liar, Armani pants on fire

Dear MoveOn member,

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is one of the most powerful right-wing lobbying groups in Washington. They're spending over $300,000 a day to kill health reform, clean energy, financial reform—you name it.1

But now the Chamber has a big problem. A reporter recently discovered that they've been lying about how many members they have. For years, under Chamber CEO Tom Donohue, they've falsely claimed to have three million members, when the real number is closer to 200,000.2

When they exaggerate their membership, it exaggerates their power. So let's set the record straight. Everywhere we see the Chamber repeat the "3 million member" lie, we're going to call them out—starting with their Facebook page.

Go to the U.S. Chamber's Facebook page today and post a comment on their wall like this: "Stop lying about your members. The Chamber doesn't represent anywhere near 3 million businesses." Click here to post your comment:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85043&id=17752-10220574-2jD5gWx&t=1

To post a comment on the Chamber page, you first have to click "Become a fan" near the top of the page. Then, just type your comment into the box that says "Write something..." and click "Share." If you want, you can "un-fan" the Chamber immediately by clicking "Remove me from Fans" (towards the bottom of the left column, under the photos box).

The amazing thing about this controversy is that, after getting called on it, the Chamber admitted that the three million number is totally false.3

But that hasn't stopped Donohue from repeating the made-up number in press releases, on the official Chamber website, and even on their Facebook page.4

A lot of the Chamber's power comes from the false perception that they represent so many businesses. But in fact, they represent no more than about 1 percent of all businesses in America.5 This isn't a small, meaningless lie—it's a big, important lie that needs to be corrected.

Click here to post your comment:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85043&id=17752-10220574-2jD5gWx&t=2

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Noah, Stephen, Anna, and the rest of the team 

Sources:

1. "U.S. Chamber Spent a Record $34.7 Million on Lobbying in Past 3 Months," The Wall Street Journal, October 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85026&id=17752-10220574-2jD5gWx&t=3

2. "The Chamber's Numbers Game," Mother Jones, October 13, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85045&id=17752-10220574-2jD5gWx&t=4

3. "Chamber Rejects Use of Term '3 Million Members,'" Mother Jones, October 23, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85030&id=17752-10220574-2jD5gWx&t=5

4. "U.S Chamber of Commerce: About Us," U.S. Chamber of Commerce website, accessed October 30, 2009
http://www.uschamber.com/about/default.htm

5. "Survey of Business Owners," U.S. Census Bureau, accessed October 30, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85048&id=17752-10220574-2jD5gWx&t=6

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 30, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Harry Reid

Clicking here will add your name:
"Senator Reid, thank you for your leadership on health care reform. We're standing with you in the fight for real health care reform with the choice of a public health insurance option."

Add your name
Dear MoveOn member,

For months, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has been under intense pressure to drop the public health insurance option.

But on Monday he defied insurance lobbyists, political pundits, and conservatives of both parties by announcing that he'll include a public option in the Senate floor bill.

That's the kind of courageous leadership we need for victory on health care. But the fight's not over yet: Sen. Reid is still under fire from conservatives, including some in his own party, who will stop at nothing to kill the public option.

In this critical moment, we've got to show that thousands of Americans have his back and are fired up to fight alongside him. So we're placing a full-page ad in key newspapers on Capitol Hill and in his home state of Nevada with the names of thousands of Americans thanking Senator Harry Reid for his leadership.

Will you sign the ad? Clicking here will add your name:

http://pol.moveon.org/thankreid/o.pl?id=17733-10220574-PCPbpYx&t=4

The ad says: "Senator Reid, thank you for your leadership on health care reform. We're standing with you in the fight for real health care reform with the choice of a public health insurance option."

For months, progressives have been demanding that health care reform include a robust public health insurance option that's affordable and available to everyone.

And while we've still got a long way to go, Sen. Reid's decision this week bucked the conventional wisdom and made clear that Democrats in Congress aren't going to stop fighting for the public option, the key to real health care reform.

But to win, we need to show we've got his back. Click here to add your name to the ad thanking Sen. Reid:

http://pol.moveon.org/thankreid/o.pl?id=17733-10220574-PCPbpYx&t=5

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Eli, Kat, Ilya, and the rest of the team
  

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 29, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Big news

Member Vote Results:

93% Agree

We should refuse to support senators who help Republicans block health care reform.

Now we're running an emergency campaign to make the results heard. Can you donate $25 so we can hold Democrats accountable if they block an up-or-down vote?

Click Here
Dear MoveOn member,

Big news: Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that he's including a compromise version of the public option in the Senate's health care bill.1

This is a huge victory over conservatives who spent all summer trying to kill the public option, and proof that health care reform now has enormous momentum.

Yet a few conservative Democrats are still threatening to help Republicans block reform.2

Now we have some important news of our own: In this weekend's member vote, 93% of MoveOn members agreed that any senator who helps block an up-or-down vote on a health care bill with the public option should lose the support of all five million of us—no donations, no volunteering, and no help getting out the vote.

To make sure conservative Democrats hear that message loud and clear, we're launching an emergency campaign to press them to support an up-or-down vote. We've got ad makers working on scripts and volunteers setting up events in key states.

But we need to raise $120,000 today. That means we need 3 donations from people in Inwood. Can you donate $25 so we can hold Democrats accountable if they block an up-or-down vote?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/phio_vote-hpc0.html?id=17704-10220574-NNM8eZx&t=3

Our member vote can provide a clear incentive to senators who are deciding where they stand on Senator Reid's bill. So MoveOn members are hitting the streets, and the phones, to get the word out. We've planned in-person events at the state offices of conservative Democrats starting today, we're developing a new round of ads, and we'll be flooding their offices with phone calls all week.

At the same time, we need to be clear: the "opt-out" version of the public option has real problems. The most conservative states in the country would likely opt out, potentially leaving millions of uninsured folks without access to the affordable health care a public option would provide.

So while this compromise version of the public option could help get a bill through the Senate, we need to push hard through the rest of the legislative process to make sure the final bill has a robust public option that doesn't leave anyone out. Our progressive champions in the House are fighting hard for that and we'll support their efforts.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of MoveOn members and the broader progressive movement, the public option now has a ton of momentum. And we're really close to having the votes we need in the Senate. But we need to make sure a few conservative Democrats don't doom health care reform.

Can you donate $25 so we can pressure conservative Democrats to support an up-or-down vote?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/phio_vote-hpc0.html?id=17704-10220574-NNM8eZx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Ilyse, Kat, Laura, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Reid: Public Option No 'Silver Bullet' But Strong Consensus For Opt-Out," Talking Points Memo, October 26, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85002&id=17704-10220574-NNM8eZx&t=5

2. "Three Senators to Watch in the Health-Care Debate," The Wall Street Journal, October 27, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85011&id=17704-10220574-NNM8eZx&t=6


Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 27, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, October 26, 2009

It's time to fight for clean energy

Coal industry lobbyists want to weaken the Senate clean energy bill. They want to roll back the Clean Air Act and delay the transition to wind and solar by at least a decade. Can you call Sen. Schumer and urge him sign the Menendez letter opposing Clean Air Act rollbacks?

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

I called Congress
Dear MoveOn member,

Coal industry lobbyists are trying to undercut the Senate's strong clean energy bill by adding a major rollback of the Clean Air Act.1

They want to exempt all existing coal plants from global warming pollution standards. This would delay the transition to wind and solar power for a decade or more.2

Now is the time for supporters of clean energy to stand up and fight.

Senator Bob Menendez has authored a sign-on letter to rally support for saving the Clean Air Act. We need senators who support clean energy to sign on. But that won't happen unless they hear from constituents.

Call Senator Charles Schumer and urge him to sign the Menendez letter opposing Clean Air Act rollbacks. Here's where to call:

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1&cp_id=1159&id=17686-10220574-SgsF2Vx&t=2

This Clean Air Act rollback would exempt dirty coal plants from global warming pollution standards. By letting coal off the hook, Congress would lock in our over-dependence on coal for years to come. This would mean no market for wind and solar power, and no more clean energy jobs.

The oldest and dirtiest power plants, some built before World War II, are huge sources of pollution.3 Exempting them would be like deciding that the dirtiest clunkers on the highway didn't have to meet emissions standards. It just doesn't make sense.

We can defeat this rollback and pass a strong clean energy bill. But we need supporters of clean energy in the Senate to fight back now.

Call Senator Charles Schumer and urge him to sign the Menendez letter. Here's where to call:

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Then please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1&cp_id=1159&id=17686-10220574-SgsF2Vx&t=3

Thanks for joining the fight.

–Steven, Anna, Noah, Carrie, and the rest of the team  

Sources:

1. "Murkowski Moves to Thwart EPA Regulations of Emissions," Mother Jones, September 23, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84995&id=17686-10220574-SgsF2Vx&t=4

2. "Why we need EPA GHG regulatory authority," Matthew F. Pawa, Esq., July 2, 2009 [PDF]
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51620&id=&t=5&id=17686-10220574-SgsF2Vx&t=6

3. "Dirty Kilowatts: America's Most Polluting Power Plants," Environmental Integrity Project, July 2007
http://www.dirtykilowatts.org/

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 26, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Emergency health care petition to the White House

We're launching an emergency photo petition to urge President Obama to fight for real health care reform. Can you submit a photo message right away to urge the President to stand up for the public option?

Click Here

Dear MoveOn member,

Senate Democrats are in intense negotiations over the health care bill right now—and apparently they're inches away from having the votes to include a public health insurance option.1

But according to CNN, The Washington Post, and others, key White House officials are instead pushing a "trigger," a mechanism that could indefinitely delay or kill the public option.2

So we're asking people like you, who worked to get President Obama elected, to join in an emergency photo petition to him right away.

We need to remind the President that we fought to elect him—and now it's time for him to fight for us. Will you put on an Obama t-shirt or button, print out our petition sign, and take a photo to send to President Obama? We're creating a rapid response web video with the photos, so the sooner the better.

Click here to get started:

http://pol.moveon.org/wh_photos/index.html?id=17681-10220574-I8emMdx&t=3

Submitting a photo is really easy, and we provide step-by-step instructions. We'll send the photos to the White House, share them with the media, and use them in a new video urging President Obama to fight hard for the public option during this critical phase.

Whether President Obama decides to fight for the public option right now will likely mean the difference between winning real reform, or not.

But instead of standing up for a public option in the Senate bill, the President is at best neutral, and according to most reports, actively pushing Senate leaders toward a "trigger."3

Jacob Hacker, the Yale professor who originated the public option proposal, calls the trigger "an inside-the-beltway sleight of hand that would protect private insurers from the real competition that a strong public health insurance option would create...[The trigger proposal] is unworkable in the current Senate bills, unwise as public policy, and unwanted by the substantial majority of Americans who say they want a straight-up public option."4

So why would the White House push a trigger? Republican Senator Olympia Snowe wants one, and some sources say the President thinks getting her vote will make the bill "more bipartisan."5 Others say the White House is afraid the public option doesn't have enough support in the Senate.6

This is a leadership moment. Let's remind the president that seventy million of us voted for him last November because of his promise to challenge politics as usual, and show him that we'll fight right alongside him if he stands strong for real progressive change.

Click here to get started:

http://pol.moveon.org/wh_photos/index.html?id=17681-10220574-I8emMdx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Wes, Kat, Eli, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Schumer: Public option near votes needed to pass," The Associated Press, October 25, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84993&id=17681-10220574-I8emMdx&t=5

2. "Optional public option enters health care talks," CNN, October 22, 2009
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/22/health.care/

"Prognosis improves for public insurance," The Washington Post, October 24, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84994&id=17681-10220574-I8emMdx&t=6

3. "Leaderless: Senate pushes for public option without Obama's support," The Huffington Post, October 24, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84992&id=17681-10220574-I8emMdx&t=7

4. Ibid.

5. "Optional public option enters health care talks," CNN, October 22, 2009
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/22/health.care/

6. "Leaderless: Senate pushes for public option without Obama's support," The Huffington Post, October 24, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84992&id=17681-10220574-I8emMdx&t=8

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 25, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Last Day to Vote: Cast Your Ballot Now

**OFFICIAL BALLOT**

Dear MoveOn member,

On Thursday, MoveOn members started voting on an important question: "Should MoveOn refuse to support the re-election of any senator who helps block an up-or-down vote on a health care reform bill with a public option?"

It looks like you haven't cast your ballot yet and voting closes tonight at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

This is a big decision and we need to hear from you. So please take a moment to let us know where you stand.

http://pol.moveon.org/2009/e/dem_filibuster.html?id=17677-10220574-Yi6Ov5x&t=1

The original email with all the details is below.

Thanks for helping make this critical decision, and for all you do.

–Justin, Joan, Laura, Kat, and the rest of the team
  


Dear MoveOn member,

Republicans' best chance to kill health care reform is to stop it from ever getting an up-or-down vote. But they can't do it alone. Republicans need at least one Democrat to join them.

Unfortunately, a few conservative Democrats have publicly hinted they might help Republicans do just that if the bill includes a public health insurance option1—even though the public option is supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans and has already passed four congressional committees.  Conservative Democrats might doom health care reform, just to stop the public option from coming to a vote.

It's pretty upsetting to think that a handful of Democratic senators—whom many of us helped elect—would join a Republican filibuster to block the most important Senate vote in a generation.

But we could still pressure Democrats to do the right thing by publicly announcing that we'll never support the re-election of anyone who helps Republicans filibuster.

That's a big decision, though. So we're holding a vote of all MoveOn members. Can you take a moment to cast your ballot?

The official question is: "Should MoveOn refuse to support the re-election of any senator who helps block an up-or-down vote on a health care reform bill with a public option?"

http://pol.moveon.org/2009/e/dem_filibuster.html?id=17677-10220574-Yi6Ov5x&t=2

Pressing Democrats to support an up-or-down vote on health care reform will strengthen the hand of Senate leaders who are deciding whether to include the public option in the bill they bring to the floor.

If Majority Leader Harry Reid and other Senate leaders know they can count on every Democrat to allow an up-or-down vote on health care reform, they'll be much more likely to include the public option. But if they think conservative Democrats might obstruct a bill with the public option, they're more likely to water down reform.

That's why we need all 60 members of the Democratic caucus to commit to allowing a simple, up-or-down vote.

As Senator Tom Harkin said, "there comes a time that you have to decide if you are in our caucus or not."2 Senator Harkin, along with Senators Sherrod Brown3, Bernie Sanders4, Michael Bennet5 and Mark Udall6 have been working to make sure that health care reform gets a fair vote. 

But outside pressure is going to be key to winning this fight. Together, MoveOn members have made millions of phone calls, provided tens of millions of hours of volunteer labor, and donated over one hundred million dollars to help Democratic candidates.7 So if Democrats know that helping Republicans to stop reform means they'll get no support from the five million of us, that's a big deal.

Click below to vote on the question, "Should MoveOn refuse to support the re-election of any senator who helps block an up-or-down vote on a health care reform bill with a public option?"

http://pol.moveon.org/2009/e/dem_filibuster.html?id=17677-10220574-Yi6Ov5x&t=3

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Carrie, Kat, Marika, and the rest of the team

P.S. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. PDT on Sunday, October 25. This ballot e-mail is not transferable. If you want to encourage your friends who are MoveOn members to vote, have them look for their personal MoveOn ballot e-mail.

Sources:

1. "Dem leaders brush off the left," Politico, October 13, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84956&id=17677-10220574-Yi6Ov5x&t=4

2. "Harkin sees passage of Kennedy-backed health plan," Reuters, September 22, 2009
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE58L5EY20090922

3. "After Tense Health Care Discussion, Dems Predict Unanimity on Reform," Talking Points Memo, October 15, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84957&id=17677-10220574-Yi6Ov5x&t=5

4. "Bernie Sanders Demands Democrats Commit to Stopping Health Care Filibuster," The Huffington Post, August 1, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84958&id=17677-10220574-Yi6Ov5x&t=6

5. "Up or Down Vote for Health Care Reform," October 22, 2009
http://upordownforreform.com/

6. "Up or Down Vote for Health Care Reform," October 22, 2009
http://upordownforreform.com/

7. "People Powered Politics 2006," MoveOn.org Political Action
http://pol.moveon.org/2006report/?id=17677-10220574-Yi6Ov5x&t=7

"People Powered Politics 2008," MoveOn.org Political Action
http://s3.moveon.org/pdfs/moveon_postelectionreport_ah14.pdf?id=17677-10220574-Yi6Ov5x&t=8

 

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 25, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Official MoveOn Ballot: Vote Today

**OFFICIAL BALLOT**

Dear MoveOn member,

Republicans' best chance to kill health care reform is to stop it from ever getting an up-or-down vote. But they can't do it alone. Republicans need at least one Democrat to join them.

Unfortunately, a few conservative Democrats have publicly hinted they might help Republicans do just that if the bill includes a public health insurance option1—even though the public option is supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans and has already passed four congressional committees.  Conservative Democrats might doom health care reform, just to stop the public option from coming to a vote.

It's pretty upsetting to think that a handful of Democratic senators—whom many of us helped elect—would join a Republican filibuster to block the most important Senate vote in a generation.

But we could still pressure Democrats to do the right thing by publicly announcing that we'll never support the re-election of anyone who helps Republicans filibuster.

That's a big decision, though. So we're holding a vote of all MoveOn members. Can you take a moment to cast your ballot?

The official question is: "Should MoveOn refuse to support the re-election of any senator who helps block an up-or-down vote on a health care reform bill with a public option?"

http://pol.moveon.org/2009/e/dem_filibuster.html?id=17656-10220574-5oi.nKx&t=1

Pressing Democrats to support an up-or-down vote on health care reform will strengthen the hand of Senate leaders who are deciding whether to include the public option in the bill they bring to the floor.

If Majority Leader Harry Reid and other Senate leaders know they can count on every Democrat to allow an up-or-down vote on health care reform, they'll be much more likely to include the public option. But if they think conservative Democrats might obstruct a bill with the public option, they're more likely to water down reform.

That's why we need all 60 members of the Democratic caucus to commit to allowing a simple, up-or-down vote.

As Senator Tom Harkin said, "there comes a time that you have to decide if you are in our caucus or not."2 Senator Harkin, along with Senators Sherrod Brown3, Bernie Sanders4, Michael Bennet5 and Mark Udall6 have been working to make sure that health care reform gets a fair vote. 

But outside pressure is going to be key to winning this fight. Together, MoveOn members have made millions of phone calls, provided tens of millions of hours of volunteer labor, and donated over one hundred million dollars to help Democratic candidates.7 So if Democrats know that helping Republicans to stop reform means they'll get no support from the five million of us, that's a big deal.

Click below to vote on the question, "Should MoveOn refuse to support the re-election of any senator who helps block an up-or-down vote on a health care reform bill with a public option?"

http://pol.moveon.org/2009/e/dem_filibuster.html?id=17656-10220574-5oi.nKx&t=2

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Carrie, Kat, Marika, and the rest of the team

P.S. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. PDT on Sunday, October 25. This ballot e-mail is not transferable. If you want to encourage your friends who are MoveOn members to vote, have them look for their personal MoveOn ballot e-mail.

Sources:

1. "Dem leaders brush off the left," Politico, October 13, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84956&id=17656-10220574-5oi.nKx&t=3

2. "Harkin sees passage of Kennedy-backed health plan," Reuters, September 22, 2009
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE58L5EY20090922

3. "After Tense Health Care Discussion, Dems Predict Unanimity on Reform," Talking Points Memo, October 15, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84957&id=17656-10220574-5oi.nKx&t=4

4. "Bernie Sanders Demands Democrats Commit to Stopping Health Care Filibuster," The Huffington Post, August 1, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84958&id=17656-10220574-5oi.nKx&t=5

5. "Up or Down Vote for Health Care Reform," October 22, 2009
http://upordownforreform.com/

6. "Up or Down Vote for Health Care Reform," October 22, 2009
http://upordownforreform.com/

7. "People Powered Politics 2006," MoveOn.org Political Action
http://pol.moveon.org/2006report/?id=17656-10220574-5oi.nKx&t=6

"People Powered Politics 2008," MoveOn.org Political Action
http://s3.moveon.org/pdfs/moveon_postelectionreport_ah14.pdf?id=17656-10220574-5oi.nKx&t=7

 

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 23, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

The whole world, against global warming

People all over the world will rally this Saturday for strong action to solve global warming. Can you come to an event near you?


Click here to find an event near you
Dear MoveOn member,

This Saturday, people around the world will gather at more than 4000 events in 89 countries to demand serious action on global warming.

These events, timed to influence the global climate negotiations in Copenhagen this December, will call on world leaders to pay attention to the science and commit to real climate solutions.

The idea of a truly global action for climate solutions seemed crazy at first, but now it's becoming a reality. There will even be events in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Now, by joining actions in our own communities, MoveOn members can help make the event even bigger. Click below to find an event near you:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84955&id=17634-10220574-1L9uSwx&t=3

The global day of action will focus on the need to stabilize concentrations of carbon dioxide at the levels scientists say is safe—350 parts per million.

The number 350 has become a shorthand for the kind of strong, science-based climate treaty that we need.

On October 24th, at each event—some large rallies, others small gatherings in people's homes—a photo will be taken centered around the number 350. The photos from around the world will be broadcast to the world's media on giant screens in New York's Times Square and delivered to hundreds of world leaders in the coming weeks.

Gathering to pose for a 350 photograph might seem like a small action—but when it's being done thousands of times in thousands of cities, it grows in force, showing global leaders the massive, vibrant groundswell of worldwide citizens demanding solutions on climate change.

Our friends at 350.org have taken the lead in organizing the day of action. Let's help make this huge. Find a local event and sign up to attend:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84955&id=17634-10220574-1L9uSwx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Anna, Lenore, Kat, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 22, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Post our new ad on Facebook?

Dear MoveOn member,

Our latest health care ad stars actress Heather Graham as the public health insurance option.

It's pretty funny stuff, if we do say so ourselves. But we're using humor to make a very serious point: Health care reform won't succeed unless private health insurance plans are forced to compete with a real public option.

Can you help spread the word by posting a link to the ad on Facebook? Check it out if you haven't already, then just copy and paste this as your status:

New health care ad starring Heather Graham as the public option: http://bit.ly/3Lk7ld

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Laura, Stephen, Marika, and the rest of the team

P.S. If you're on Twitter, can you tweet this, too?

RT @MoveOn The Public Option has never looked so good! NEW AD starring actress Heather Graham: http://bit.ly/ysdrU

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 21, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

We're winning

Big Insurance is doubling down as the health care fight intensifies—and so are we. Going into the home stretch, can you chip in $20 to escalate our efforts?

Click Here
Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday, yet another poll came out showing that a majority of Americans want a public option.1

We've got some serious momentum headed into the home stretch of the health care fight.2 Conventional wisdom is shifting, public support is strong, and the public option is most definitely alive in Congress.

But now Big Insurance has come out swinging against health care reform. They just put a million dollars into a deceptive ad designed to scare seniors, right on the heels of a bogus "report" full of distortions about health care legislation.3

Now's the moment to double down and win the fight. So we're launching an intensive new organizing campaign targeting four key senators who've sided with Big Insurance—to make clear they'll have to answer to voters if they oppose the public option.

To put this plan into motion, we need to raise $200,000 right away. If 3 people in Inwood donate, we can hit that goal. Can you chip in $20 to support our efforts?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/doubledown.html?id=17609-10220574-nEx5VKx&t=3

We're closer than we've ever been to real reform. Poll after poll shows Americans want a public option, four of five congressional bills include one, and progressives are standing firm. But Big Insurance has millions to fight this, and it's going to take a major effort to win.

In coming weeks, MoveOn Councils will organize "Stand for Health Care" events, flood newspapers with letters to the editor, ensure Congress is getting ongoing calls from constituents, and release reports showing how reform with a public option will save Americans money and expand access to health coverage.

We'll also keep reminding Congress that opposing a public option means they're siding with Big Insurance over regular Americans. We'll produce new ads, release updated reports revealing which senators are getting the most from Big Insurance, and continue to spread the stories of real people, like Dawn Smith, who've been suffering under our broken system.

It's never been a secret that Big Insurance would do just about anything to stop real reform that forces them to compete, improve their care, and lower skyrocketing health care costs.

The problem for them is, Americans want and need real reform, and are willing to fight for it. We've got a game plan to win, and with your help, we can make it happen.

Can you donate $20 today?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/doubledown.html?id=17609-10220574-nEx5VKx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Nita, Eli, Laura, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1."Public option gains support; clear majority now backs plan," The Washington Post, October 20, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84918&id=17609-10220574-nEx5VKx&t=5

2. "Liberals increase pressure for public insurance plan in health bill," The Washington Post, October 21, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84919&id=17609-10220574-nEx5VKx&t=7

3."AHIP Million-Dollar Ad Campaign Targets Seniors," The Huffington Post, October 13, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84901&id=17609-10220574-nEx5VKx&t=8

"New AHIP Ad Spouts Misinformation to Frighten Seniors," Media Matters Action Network, October 13, 2009
http://mediamattersaction.org/factcheck/200910130009

"Reality Check: AHIP's 'Study' Hard to Take Seriously," The White House blog, October 12, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84908&id=17609-10220574-nEx5VKx&t=9

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 21, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Stay off FOX

Clicking here will sign your name:
"Democrats should support President Obama's effort to call out FOX. Please stay off FOX for as long as he does."

Sign the petition

Dear MoveOn member,

All year, FOX has worked 24/7 to block President Obama's agenda—repeating lies about "death panels," promoting Tea Party protests, and whipping up fake political scandals.1

Now, President Obama is fighting back. The White House communications director said FOX is a "wing of the Republican Party...let's not pretend they're a news network."2 To draw attention to its biased coverage, President Obama will not appear on FOX for the rest of this year.3

It's about time Democrats stood up to FOX! Can you sign this petition asking Democrats to support President Obama's stance by staying off FOX as long as he does? We'll deliver it to Sen. Gillibrand and Sen. Schumer and Rep. McCarthy. Clicking here will add your name:

http://civic.moveon.org/foxobama/o.pl?id=17603-10220574-XkBq9cx&t=3

The petition says: "Democrats should support President Obama's effort to call out FOX. Please stay off FOX for as long as he does." 

Democrats often appear on FOX in hopes of reaching out to conservative viewers. But FOX cuts off their mic, distorts what they say, or runs biased headlines at the bottom of the screen.4 In the end, Democrats always lose on FOX.

FOX insists there's a difference between its news shows and its right-wing opinion shows with Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, and others.

But in August, FOX's so-called news shows "aired 22 clips of town hall meeting attendees opposed" to Obama's health care plans and zero in support. CNN and MSNBC were more fair and balanced.5

In another "news" story, FOX passed off a GOP press release as its own research—typo and all.6

FOX executives now describe the channel as "the voice of opposition" to Obama's agenda. FOX president Roger Ailes—a former adviser to Nixon, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush—said, "I see this as the Alamo."7

But a Capitol Hill newspaper reports, "In the House and Senate, Democrats who pledged to follow the administration's near-boycott of Fox were hard to find, although many expressed support for Obama's stance."8

Democrats will only find the courage to join Obama if they hear from enough concerned voters. Sign this petition to ask Sen. Gillibrand and Sen. Schumer and Rep. McCarthy to stay off FOX. Clicking here will add your name:

http://civic.moveon.org/foxobama/o.pl?id=17603-10220574-XkBq9cx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Noah, Nita, Michael, Kat, and the rest of the team

Sources:
1. "Fox News viewers overwhelmingly misinformed about health care reform proposals," Think Progress, August 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84884&id=17603-10220574-XkBq9cx&t=6

"Fox News Signs On To Tea Party Agenda, Aggressively Promotes Anti-Obama Protests," Think Progress, April 10, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84885&id=17603-10220574-XkBq9cx&t=8

"Beck-led Fox News "czar" witch hunt moves to ridiculous smear of Anita Dunn," Media Matters for America, October 16, 2009
http://mediamatters.org/research/200910160004

2. "White House: Fox News 'a wing of the Republican Party'," New York Daily News, October 12, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84886&id=17603-10220574-XkBq9cx&t=9

3. "The Battle Between the White House and Fox News," The New York Times, October 17, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84898&id=17603-10220574-XkBq9cx&t=10

4. "Outfoxed: Fox News technique: cut their mic!" Brave New Films, May 11, 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTkFU4MtubU

"The Case Against FOX," FOXAttacks.com
http://foxattacks.com/facts.php

5. "Fox News' town hall coverage amplifies opponents of health care reform, ignores supporters," Media Matters for America, September 8, 2009
http://mediamatters.org/print/research/200909080004

6. "Fox passes off GOP press release as its own research—typo and all," Media Matters for America, February 10, 2009
http://mediamatters.org/research/200902100019

7. "'Voice of the opposition': Fox News openly advocates against Democratic Congress, White House," Media Matters for America, September 11, 2009
http://mediamatters.org/reports/200909110016

8. "Congressional Democrats defend the White House's snub of Fox News," The Hill, October 14, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84899&id=17603-10220574-XkBq9cx&t=11

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.



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Monday, October 19, 2009

UPS: Stop opposing clean energy

UPS is helping fund a $100 million campaign by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to kill clean energy and health care in Congress. Other companies, such as Apple, have quit the Chamber in protest, but UPS is still a dues-paying member. Can you call UPS and urge them to quit the Chamber of Commerce?

UPS
(404) 828-7123


Report your call

Do you own a Toyota?

Toyota's also funding the Chamber's efforts, despite Toyota's "green" image. Submit your photo to join our photo petition to Toyota.

Dear MoveOn member,

Why would a company like UPS oppose solutions to global warming?

UPS is a prominent member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which just launched a $100 million campaign described as a "declaration of war on the White House." The Chamber is pouring millions into killing clean energy as well as health care reform.1

Recently, an uprising of companies fighting back against the Chamber of Commerce has begun, led by companies like Apple, Nike, Johnson & Johnson, and GE.2

But UPS continues to help fund the Chamber's anti-climate agenda through their Chamber dues.

Can you call UPS and urge them to quit the Chamber of Commerce? If you're a customer of UPS, be sure to mention it when you call. Here's the info:

UPS
(404) 828-7123

Then, report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/chambercalls/ups.html?id=17578-10220574-HsHbwKx&t=4

For years, the Chamber of Commerce has pushed a right-wing agenda.3 But now, it's trying to kill progress on clean energy, health care, workers' rights, and even financial reform.4

The U.S. Chamber has gotten so out of step with its own members that even local chambers are joining the rebellion. "They don't represent me," the head of the Greater New York Chamber said the other day.5

The top issues causing companies to walk away from the Chamber are clean energy and global warming. Wind and solar power create jobs and help the economy, and most business leaders know it.6

But the Chamber isn't listening. After Apple quit, the Chamber's president said of his critics, "Bring 'em on."7  

So why is UPS still funding the Chamber? The Chamber wouldn't be able to run multi-million dollar campaigns if it weren't getting so much money from its members.

Call UPS today and urge them to quit the Chamber of Commerce:

UPS
(404) 828-7123

Then, help track our progress by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/chambercalls/ups.html?id=17578-10220574-HsHbwKx&t=5

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Wes, Anna, Noah, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Does the U.S. Chamber Speak for Big Business?," Business Week, October 7, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84889&id=17578-10220574-HsHbwKx&t=6

2. "Apple quits U.S. Chamber of Commerce over global warming views," San Jose Mercury News, October 5, 2009
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13492186

"Nike Resigns From Chamber Board," The New York Times, September 30, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84826&id=&t=7&id=17578-10220574-HsHbwKx&t=7

3. "A Quiet Revolution In Business Lobbying: Chamber of Commerce Helps Bush Agenda," The Washington Post, February 5, 2005
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84896&id=17578-10220574-HsHbwKx&t=8

4. "Corporate America Is Fighting Back," Financial Post, October 14, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84891&id=17578-10220574-HsHbwKx&t=9

5. "Defections Expose Chamber's Dirty Little Secrets" The Washington Post, October 16, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84890&id=17578-10220574-HsHbwKx&t=11

6. "At Chamber of Commerce, Member Exodus on Climate Issue a Big PR Problem," Newsweek, October 6, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84820&id=&t=8&id=17578-10220574-HsHbwKx&t=12

7. "Defiant Chamber Chief Says 'Bring 'Em On,'" The New York Times, October 8, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84829&id=&t=11&id=17578-10220574-HsHbwKx&t=13

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 19, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Do you own a Toyota?

We're launching a photo petition urging Toyota to stop funding the Chamber of Commerce's lobbying against clean energy. If you own a Toyota, submit a picture of yourself with our "Stop opposing clean energy" sign.

Click Here

Dear MoveOn member,

In the last week, thousands of MoveOn members have called Toyota urging them to quit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber is spending millions fighting clean energy, and a long list of companies including Apple and Nike have backed away in protest.1

Toyota responded to our calls by shutting off their voice mail.

If Toyota's really as green as they say, they should stop funding the Chamber's anti-climate lobbying. But it's clear that Toyota needs to hear it from their own customers.

If you own a Toyota, will you join our photo petition calling on Toyota to stop opposing clean energy? Click here to get started:

http://pol.moveon.org/toyota?id=17567-10220574-QHwvuCx&t=4

Submitting a photo is really easy, and we provide step-by-step instructions. We'll share the photo petition with Toyota and the media.

The Chamber of Commerce just launched a campaign spending an incredible $100 million to kill the top priorities of President Obama's agenda—energy, health care, financial reform, all of it.

They've sued to block enforcement of the Clean Air Act for global warming emissions. They continue to question the basic science of global warming. And they're lobbying every day to kill President Obama's clean energy jobs plan.2

Toyota, meanwhile, has spent $40 million—their biggest ad campaign ever—to convince customers that they're a pro-environment company.3

Thousands of us have asked Toyota to stop funding the Chamber's anti-climate lobbying, but it's clear that they aren't going to listen until they hear it from Toyota owners.

That's why, if you own a Toyota, we hope you'll join the photo petition by submitting a picture of yourself with a sign calling on Toyota to stop opposing clean energy. Click here to get started:

http://pol.moveon.org/toyota?id=17567-10220574-QHwvuCx&t=5

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Noah, Kat, Lenore, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Chamber defends free-market system," Politico, June 10, 2009
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23563.html

"Apple quits U.S. Chamber of Commerce over global warming views," San Jose Mercury News, October 5, 2009
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13492186

"Nike Resigns From Chamber Board," The New York Times, September 30, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84826&id=17567-10220574-QHwvuCx&t=6

2. "Donohue Will Stay the Course Business Week Says is Costing Him Credibility and Clout," Natural Resources Defense Council, October 8, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84827&id=17567-10220574-QHwvuCx&t=7

"Chamber Threatens Lawsuit if EPA Rejects Climate Science 'Trial,'" The New York Times, August 25, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84828&id=17567-10220574-QHwvuCx&t=8

"Defiant Chamber Chief Says 'Bring 'Em On,'" The New York Times, October 8, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84829&id=17567-10220574-QHwvuCx&t=9

3. "Toyota launches 'Why Not?' ad campaign, the largest in the company's history," Auto Blog Green, November 5, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84882&id=17567-10220574-QHwvuCx&t=11

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 16, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Dear New York MoveOn member,

Your senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, is leading the fight to end the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

She's asking for your help. Please take a look at her note below.

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Kat, Peter, Noah, and the rest of the team


Dear friend,

The military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is an unjust, outdated, and harmful rule that violates the civil rights of some of our bravest, most heroic men and women.

That's why I have been working, along with my colleagues in the Senate and so many of you, to overturn this wasteful and destructive policy.

Last weekend, President Obama restated his commitment to overturning "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and this summer, I convinced Senator Carl Levin, Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, to hold the first Senate hearing on its repeal. This hearing is scheduled to start within the next several weeks. While we have made great strides, there is still a lot of work to do.

We have to prepare for these hearings, so I'm launching a nationwide call to action.  My goal is to get thousands of people to stand with me and show that this country is ready to repeal DADT.

Click here to help end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  I want to show my colleagues that America is ready to do the right thing.

Numerous military leaders are already telling us that this policy should be reversed. Having lost over 13,000 of our best and brightest to this policy, including almost 800 in "mission critical" areas, the time for change is now.

We must all join together now and speak up on behalf of the brave men and women who only want to serve their country.

The announcement of hearings this fall is great news and a critical milestone on the road to repeal.  In addition, the Pentagon's Joint Force Quarterly just published an article calling for an end to the ban on gays and lesbians serving in our armed forces.  Click here to help end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

I need your support right away, but moreover, I need you to share our call to action with your friends and colleagues who want to repeal DADT, too.  Earning the broadest support possible is the only way to convey the message this Fall that the American people want to undo this harmful policy.

Click here to help end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  I want to show my colleagues that America is ready to do the right thing.

Thank you so much for your continued support.  Together, I am sure that we can make America stronger and bring equality to our Armed Services.

Sincerely,
Kirsten Gillibrand


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 15, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.