Friday, September 30, 2011

Jobs Not Cuts in Inwood

On the week of October 10-16, lead a "Jobs Not Cuts" event in Inwood demanding that our leaders create jobs without delay for our communities.

Lead An Event
Dear MoveOn member,

Three weeks ago President Obama presented Congress with a plan to put millions of Americans back to work and told them to pass it "right away."1

So far, nothing's happened, and there's even talk that Congress could weaken the president's jobs bill and remove all the real job-creating initiatives.2 With 25 million under and unemployed people in this country, we can't tolerate any more capitulation or delay on jobs.3

So, as the president's jobs bill is debated in Congress, thousands of us in the American Dream Movement—MoveOn members, community groups, and unions—are mobilizing a nationwide "Jobs Not Cuts" week of action from October 10-16. We'll be calling on our elected officials to create desperately needed jobs in our communities.

But we need event leaders to make it all happen. Can you sign up to lead a Jobs Not Cuts event in Inwood?

Yes, I can lead an event.

Washington is finally focused on Jobs Not Cuts. But that political promise will turn to woefully inadequate Republican half measures and corporate handouts if we don't demand real job creation from this Congress. That's what this week of action is all about.

So lead an event one day between October 10-16 to demand jobs without delay from your member of Congress or local leaders.

Back the president's plan to put Americans to work rebuilding our local infrastructure by highlighting the work that needs doing in [[user city/"your city"], from unsafe bridges to crumbling schools.

Demand that the rich and corporations pay their fair share again, as both Warren Buffett and the president have called for, so we can hire the local teachers, police, firefighters, and health workers needed to strengthen our communities.

This is a moment for strength and solidarity in the American Dream Movement, so the more events, tactics, and targets escalating our demand for jobs, the better. Can you lead an action in Inwood?

Yes, I can lead a Jobs Not Cuts event in Inwood the week of October 10-16.

Thanks for all you do,

–Daniel, Anna, Joan, Wes, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Address by the President to a Joint Session of Congress," the White House, Office of the Press Secretary, September 8, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=264500&id=31598-10220574-YjyjoDx&t=4

2. "Obama jobs plan: Senate Democrats won't take up bill immediately, Harry Reid says," The Washington Post, September 27, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=264501&id=31598-10220574-YjyjoDx&t=5

3. "25 Million Unemployed, 78 Million Hurting, $2.8 Trillion Lost, Another $3 Trillion at Risk," Daily Kos, September 8, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=264037&id=&t=6&id=31598-10220574-YjyjoDx&t=6



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Thursday, September 29, 2011

You have to see this

Elizabeth Warren has just jumped into the U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts and she's already a front-runner. But with an urgent fundraising deadline Friday, she needs our help. Can you chip in $5?

Donate now
Dear MoveOn member,

Have you seen this amazing quote that everyone's sharing on Facebook right now? It's from progressive champion Elizabeth Warren, who has just jumped into the U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts:

"There is nobody in this country who got rich on his own. Nobody. You built a factory out there—good for you. 

"But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers that the rest of us paid to educate...Part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along."1

Elizabeth Warren has been a tireless advocate for consumer rights, holding big banks accountable and creating the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She's one of the great progressive voices on fixing the economy.

Now she's taking on corporate-backed Sen. Scott Brown and his $10 million war chest. She has only been in the race for two weeks, but she is already out to a narrow lead over Brown in the most recent poll.2 This Friday is a critical fundraising deadline, and all eyes are watching to see if her campaign's for real.


MoveOn members in Massachusetts voted in a landslide to endorse Warren this week. She's got momentum, but the media will be watching closely to see if she can turn her progressive record into grassroots support, and it's absolutely vital that she announce a large fundraising total from thousands of small donors.

Warren came to prominence as a vocal critic of many of the Wall Street corporations who are now top contributors to Scott Brown's campaign. Brown is trying to present a moderate front despite his tea party backing and corporate donors, but Warren is the real voice for the American Dream.

We're also announcing two other MoveOn member endorsements, candidates who are true champions in the fight to rebuild the American Dream. Eric Griego in New Mexico and Ilya Sheyman in Illinois both stand out as progressive leaders in their Democratic primary elections for the U.S House of Representatives.

Can you chip in $5 to Elizabeth Warren's campaign right now?


Thanks for all you do.

  –Adam R., Elena, Julia, Stephen, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Video: The Elizabeth Warren Quote Every American Needs To Hear," MoveOn.org, Sept. 21, 2011.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=264488&id=31551-10220574-xjWUFAx&t=4

2. "Elizabeth Warren leads Scott Brown by two points," Public Policy Polling, Sept. 20, 2011. [PDF]
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=264489&id=31551-10220574-xjWUFAx&t=5


  

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 September 29, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Save the St. Mark's Bookshop

Below is an email from Joyce Ravitz, a MoveOn member in New York City who created a petition at SignOn.org that is getting a lot of attention and may be of interest to people in your area. If you have concerns or feedback about this petition, click here.


Dear New York MoveOn member,

The St. Mark's Bookshop has a long tradition in the Lower East Side and serves an admirable and increasingly rare function. But St. Mark's is struggling to pay the market rent that Cooper Union is charging them at 31 3rd Ave. A significant rent concession by Cooper Union could save this irreplaceable neighborhood institution.

That's why I created a petition to the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art on SignOn.org, which says:

The St. Mark's Bookshop, a vital Lower East Side cultural institution, needs a rent low enough to survive. Join the Cooper Square Committee petitioning Cooper Union, the bookstore's landlord, to give St. Mark's Bookshop a lower rent.

Will you sign the petition? Click here to add your name, and then pass it along to your friends:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263861&id=31459-10220574-_xgk46x&t=2

Thanks!

–Joyce Ravitz

The text above was written by Joyce Ravitz, not by MoveOn staff, and MoveOn is not responsible for the content. This email was sent through MoveOn's secure system, and your information has been kept private.



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Friday, September 23, 2011

Saturday in Jackson Heights: Winning Jobs Not Cuts

You're Invited:
Build the American Dream movement 
Saturday in Jackson Heights

Host: Joe L.

Where: 84th Street & 35th Ave. Jackson Heights (in Jackson Heights)

When: Saturday, Sep. 24, at 3:30 PM

Can you come?
Click below for more details and to RSVP:

I'll be there
I can come.

Can't make it
Sorry, I can't make it this time.

What: The American Dream movement helped get Washington focused on Jobs Not Cuts—but now we need to push Congress to pass a good jobs bill and the new "Buffett Rule" to increase taxes on millionaires. That's why this weekend we're meeting to sharpen our strategy and tactics to make sure politicians get the message—and build momentum for the Contract for the American Dream. We need more people in Jackson Heights to make sure we have a powerful plan. Can you come over on Saturday?
And don't worry, this email was sent through the MoveOn system, so your personal contact info is kept private. 



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Thursday, September 22, 2011

A moment of sadness and anger

Dear MoveOn member,

Last night, Troy Davis was executed. Despite the lack of physical evidence, despite the recantations by seven of nine eyewitnesses, and despite a global campaign by more than a million people insisting there was simply too much doubt, Georgia put this man to death.

But in this moment of sadness and anger, it's up to all of us to make sure that Davis' struggle does not die with him. That the fight to fix a criminal justice system riven by racial and class disparities, and to stop our country from executing the innocent, is made stronger because of his example. 

As Davis wrote in a letter when he was facing execution in 2008:

"... no matter what happens in the days, weeks to come, this Movement to end the death penalty, to seek true justice, to expose a system that fails to protect the innocent must be accelerated. There are so many more Troy Davis'. This fight to end the death penalty is not won or lost through me but through our strength to move forward and save every innocent person in captivity around the globe. We need to dismantle this Unjust system city by city, state by state and country by country."

So today, I'm signing Amnesty International's pledge to fight the death penalty and donating to the Innocence Project. If you're looking for a way to turn your sadness today into action, I hope you'll join me.

You can sign Amnesty International USA's pledge here:


And you can donate to the Innocence Project, which fights to "free the staggering numbers of innocent people who remain incarcerated," here:


Thanks for all you do.

  –Justin, Michael, Stefanie, Garlin, and the rest of the team


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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Deafening silence

Dear MoveOn member,

Did you catch that moment in the GOP debate when the crowd cheered for letting uninsured patients die?

Susan Grigsby did, and she's recorded an incredibly powerful rejoinder that's on the verge of going viral online. We posted it Friday and already, there are tens of thousands of views, Facebook shares, and comments. TPM called it "powerful" and "hard-hitting".1

If a lot of us share this video, we have an opportunity to get it in front of millions and get the truth out about the 'Let Him Die' party. Can you take a look and share it with your friends and family right now?


Susan's story—the story of thousands of Americans whose families have similar experiences—is the strongest response to the 'Let Him Die' party.  Click here to watch, and then help spread the word by sharing it with your friends and family.

Thanks for all you do.

  –Justin, Julia, Laura, Elena, and the rest of the team

1. "MoveOn.org Takes on Cheer for Death of Uninsured with Hard-Hitting Campaign (VIDEO), TPM, September 16, 2011 
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=264213&id=31267-10220574-0MqIt%3Dx&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 September 21, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Saturday in Brooklyn: Attend a Rebuild the Dream party

This weekend, we're gathering nationwide to map out local strategies for the fall. There's a Rebuild the Dream party in Brooklyn on Saturday—can you come? 

Attend a party!

Dear MoveOn member,

The President has drawn a line in the sand with two exciting new proposals to create jobs and make the super-rich pay their taxes—similar to what the Contract for the American Dream calls for.1

Now, our response to this moment is critical. The push-back against these proposals will be intense—from Republicans and some Democrats.

That's why the American Dream movement is meeting this weekend to craft hundreds of local strategies and plans to get politicians to create millions of new jobs by making the Warren Buffets of this world pay their fair share.

These gatherings are a continuation of what we started this summer when over 500,000 people joined forces to create the Contract for the American Dream. Instead of talking about our ideas to rebuild our economy, this weekend we're making plans to transform the ideas in the Contract into winning campaigns that will make a concrete impact for millions of people without jobs.

Can you attend a Rebuild the Dream House Party on Saturday in Brooklyn?

Yes, I can attend!

The Rebuild the Dream parties are well-timed: Members of Congress are coming back home for a weeklong recess right after our gatherings. At the parties, we'll strategize and make an action plan to make members of Congress support the President's call to increase taxes on the rich and big corporations to create jobs for the jobless. So the more people partying, the better our local plans will be!  

Can you join other MoveOn members in Brooklyn on Saturday to create your community's plan to build the American Dream movement?

Yes, I can be there!

In August, the American Dream movement helped shift the focus to jobs not cuts by turning out en masse at town halls to tell Congress we want Jobs Not Cuts. We need to build on our success and push Republicans—and any Democrats who need it—to work with the President to address the jobs crisis. Let's keep our momentum going. 

Thanks for all you do.

–Lenore, Joan, Michael, Marika, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Obama Unveils Deficit Reduction Plan, 'Buffett Rule' Tax On Millionaires," The Huffington Post, September 19, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=264261&id=31209-10220574-o9%3DIxlx&t=5



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Sunday, September 18, 2011

Sick of your student loans?

Below is an email from Robert Applebaum, a MoveOn member who created a petition at SignOn.org that is getting a lot of attention and may be of interest to you. If you have concerns or feedback about this petition, click here.


Dear MoveOn member,

Forgiving the student loan debt of all Americans will have an immediate stimulative effect on our economy. With the stroke of the President's pen, millions of Americans would suddenly have hundreds, or in some cases, thousands of extra dollars in their pockets each and every month to spend on ailing sectors of the economy.

As consumer spending increases, businesses will begin to hire, jobs will be created, and a new era of innovation, entrepreneurship, and prosperity will be ushered in for all. A rising tide does, in fact, lift all boats—forgiving student loan debt, rather than tax cuts for corporations, millionaires and billionaires, has a MUCH greater chance of helping to raise that tide in a MUCH shorter time-frame. 

The future economic success of this country is wholly dependent upon a well-educated, prosperous middle class. Instead of saddling entire generations with debt from which there is no escape, let's empower the American people to grow this economy on their own!

That's why I created a petition on SignOn.org, calling on President Obama and Congress to support legislation seeking student loan forgiveness as a means of economic stimulus.

Will you sign the petition? Click here to add your name, and then pass it along to your friends:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263764&id=31118-10220574-IhDk8cx&t=2

Thanks!

–Robert Applebaum

The text above was written by Robert Applebaum, not by MoveOn staff, and MoveOn is not responsible for the content. This email was sent through MoveOn's secure system, and your information has been kept private.



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Friday, September 16, 2011

Urgent: Innocent man about to be executed

Below is an email from Ana Zamora from Death Penalty Focus, who created a petition at SignOn.org that is getting a lot of attention and may be of interest to you. If you have concerns or feedback about this petition, click here.


Dear MoveOn member,

Troy Davis could be executed as soon as September 21, 2011, for a crime he did not commit. Davis is on death row in Georgia for the 1991 murder of police officer Mark MacPhail. However, since his conviction, seven of the nine witnesses who testified against him have recanted and no physical evidence links Davis to the crime.

No one should be executed when there are so many doubts about guilt. It is more important than ever that we continue to let Georgia authorities know that we oppose any effort to execute Troy Davis.

That's why I created a petition to the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles on SignOn.org, which says:

We, the undersigned, call on Georgia authorities to take all steps necessary to ensure that Troy Anthony Davis is not executed. Seven of the nine witnesses have changed their story and no physical evidence links Davis to the crime. No one should be executed, especially when there are so many doubts about guilt.

Will you sign the petition? Click here to add your name, and then pass it along to your friends:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263925&id=31059-10220574-UG9LkDx&t=2

Thanks!

–Ana Zamora, Death Penalty Focus

The text above was written by Ana Zamora from Death Penalty Focus, not by MoveOn staff, and MoveOn is not responsible for the content. This email was sent through MoveOn's secure system, and your information has been kept private. Death Penalty Focus did not pay for this—we never sell or rent the MoveOn list.



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Thursday, September 15, 2011

An even bigger jobs plan

Rebuild the Dream, Powered by MoveOn.org Civic Action

Call NOW

Can you call Rep. McCarthy today? Tell her to co-sponsor Rep. Schakowsky's "Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act."

Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516

REPORT YOUR CALL

Dear Rebuild the Dream member,

After President Obama's speech last week, Washington is suddenly focused on the jobs crisis that we've all been watching unfold in our communities.

And while President Obama's plan is a good start, it won't be nearly enough to solve this crisis. So the leaders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) are taking advantage of the renewed focus on jobs to propose a plan that could solve the crisis.

Echoing the call that hundreds of thousands of us made in endorsing the Contract for the American Dream this summer, the CPC now has a "Rebuild the American Dream Framework." At its heart is Representative Jan Schakowsky's plan to put 2.2 million Americans back to work teaching our children, policing our streets, and rebuilding our infrastructure, by asking millionaires and corporations to pay their fair share.

The most important message we can send Congress right now is that they need to pass the president's jobs bill, and then go further. The crisis we face demands no less. And the best way to send that message is to get a huge number of Representatives to co-sponsor Rep. Schakowsky's bill.

Rep. McCarthy hasn't signed on to Rep. Schakowsky's jobs bill. Can you call her and ask her to co-sponsor Rep. Schakowsky's "Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act"?

Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516

Then, please click here to report your call.

If the CPC's "Rebuild the American Dream Framework" sounds familiar—it should. Progressives in Congress have heard your calls for action on the Contract for the American Dream, signed by over 300,000 of us, and echoed key parts of it in their framework. It includes plans to:

  • Rebuild America, through a national investment bank to fund major infrastructure projects employing construction workers to rebuild our bridges, roads, and communities;
  • Lead the Green Industrial Revolution and create clean energy jobs here at home;
  • Create Good Jobs for Americans so they can organize with their fellow workers, support their families, and save for their future; and
  • Return to Fair Taxes, so corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share again.

In just a few short months, your vision is becoming a legislative agenda. This is how change happens, but we need to keep fighting for it. Progressives in Congress listened to you, they delivered, and now they need your help.

Can you call Rep. McCarthy right now and ask her to co-sponsor Rep. Schakowsky's "Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act"?

Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516

Then, please click here to report your call.

Thank you for being a part of, and believing in, this movement. 

–Van, Natalie, Billy, Jim, Ian, Somer, and the rest of the Rebuild the Dream team



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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Your "Jobs Not Cuts" stickers

Rebuild the Dream, Powered by MoveOn.org Civic Action
Free

Get your sticker

Dear Rebuild the Dream member, 

After the president's jobs speech last week, Washington is finally starting to pay attention to the fact that America desperately needs jobs. But those who want cuts are already pushing back, saying we can't afford to create jobs and should somehow cut our way to prosperity instead.

We need to keep the focus where it ought to be, and tell opponents that we need "Jobs Not Cuts."

Click here to get a Jobs Not Cuts sticker.

When you see a button or bumper sticker you agree with, it feels great. It's reassuring to know you're not alone in your outlook on the world.

That's what the American Dream movement is all about: making it clear that we're not alone in our fight to reset our national priorities to reflect what we truly want.

That's why this fall there will be "Jobs Not Cuts" actions across the country. Our economy will recover and our long-term national debt will be reduced only by creating jobs, not cuts. People need to see this message everywhere they turn—and relay this message to their elected officials.

Visually showing your support for these actions and this movement is vital to its growth. What's happening is exciting and important. It matters that people see that you are a part of the American Dream movement.

Click here to get an American Dream sticker.

Thank you for being a part of, and believing in, this movement.

–Van Jones and the rest of the Rebuild the Dream team



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Friday, September 9, 2011

A big step

Click below to add your name:
"Mr. President: Make this speech the first step. Keep the pressure on Congress, every day, to create jobs—and don't back down until they do. There are many good things in your plan. If you fight like hell for them, I'll fight with you."

Sign the Pledge!
Last night, unemployed Army reservist Tiffany Mellers gave a powerful video response on behalf of the American Dream movement to President Obama's speech.
Watch the video
Watch the video

Dear MoveOn member,

Last night, President Obama laid out the beginnings of a plan to create jobs, repair our infrastructure, and start putting America back to work. On its own, it won't be enough to get our country back on its feet, but it's a big step in the right direction. 

Now the question is how hard the president will fight for it. Too many times, we've seen the White House back down in the face of Republican opposition, and this time has to be different. President Obama needs to know we're counting on him to go to the mat for the millions of Americans who are suffering—and that we'll fight right by his side if he does. 

So we're joining with Rebuild the Dream to deliver a pledge to the White House next week, signed by thousands of members of the American Dream movement.

Click here to tell President Obama that you're behind his first step on jobs and that if he fights, you'll fight right alongside him.

The pledge says simply: "Mr. President: Make this speech the first step. Keep the pressure on Congress, every day, to create jobs—and don't back down until they do. There are many good things in your plan. If you fight like hell for them, I'll fight with you."

Six months ago, despite record unemployment, next to no one in Washington was talking about jobs. That's changing, and the president's speech last night is proof. 

And you helped make that happen. You and millions of other members of the American Dream movement—spanning hundreds of organizations—kindled the spark in Wisconsin into a national uprising; gathered in thousands of living rooms to craft a plan to fix the economy; and held thousands of actions throughout August demanding action on the jobs crisis.

As for the president's proposal, how strong is it? Here's a useful take from Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman:

I was favorably surprised by the new Obama jobs plan, which is significantly bolder and better than I expected. It's not nearly as bold as the plan I'd want in an ideal world. But if it actually became law, it would probably make a significant dent in unemployment.

It calls for about $200 billion in new spending—much of it on things we need in any case, like school repair, transportation networks, and avoiding teacher layoffs—and $240 billion in tax cuts. That may sound like a lot, but it actually isn't.... And it's unclear, in particular, how effective the tax cuts would be at boosting spending.1

The president's plan contains some important elements from the Contract for the American Dream that 130,000 of us wrote this summer. It makes a down payment on fixing our crumbling infrastructure, invests in public education—putting people to work fixing our school buildings and keeping hundreds of thousands of teachers in our classrooms. And although the details are sketchy, it will pay for at least some of the new spending by returning to fairer tax rates for the rich

But there's a lot more in the Contract that would create good jobs now. We need more investments to create 21st-century energy jobs, a health care system that offers everyone the option of buying into Medicare and slows the growth of costs, and to make sure that the jobs that are being created pay a decent wage, with the right to form a union—so we rebuild the middle class that's the engine of our economy

The first step is making sure that the president knows that we need him to really fight for the most progressive elements of his plan, and that we'll be fighting beside him if he does. Click below to add your name to the pledge:

http://civ.moveon.org/job_speech_response/?id=30800-10220574-qBd8h%3Dx&t=6

Thanks for all you do.

Daniel, Robin, Elena, Mark, and the rest of the team

Source:

1. "Setting Their Hair on Fire," The New York Times, September 8, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263821&id=30800-10220574-qBd8h%3Dx&t=7



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Thursday, September 8, 2011

Re: Rick Perry wants you to delete this email

Hi—

I wanted to make sure you saw my email about the right-wing assault happening in states all across the country. Governors like Scott Walker, Jan Brewer, and Rick Perry are pursuing an extremist right-wing agenda and pushing devastating budget cuts that have put us on the verge of a double-dip recession.

That's why we've started a huge new effort to bring MoveOn's grassroots muscle and Internet organizing to state capitols across the country. This is a huge expansion, and to keep it going strong into a critical election year, we need thousands of MoveOn members to step up with a monthly contribution. Can you chip in?

Yes, I can give $15 a month

Sorry, I can't

For more information, see my original email below. Thanks!

–Steven


The wave of Republican governors and state legislators elected in 2010 have passed a radical right-wing agenda and devastating budget cuts that have put the whole country on the verge of a double-dip recession. Now they're pushing for more. Can you chip in $15 a month to stop them?

Contribute

Dear MoveOn member,

Last fall, when Republicans took complete control of the government in a whopping 20 states, we knew things could get ugly. But "ugly" is a polite word for what we've seen. 

Far-right governors like Scott Walker and Rick Perry—backed by GOP-controlled legislatures—have gone on a right-wing binge, with more than 60 new anti-choice laws, unprecedented attacks on workers' rights, and deep budget cuts that are pushing the whole country into a double-dip recession.1

The scariest part is, these right-wing extremists are pushing for even more. In states across the country, Republicans are calling "special sessions" to ram through even deeper budget cuts and partisan redistricting maps that will lock in GOP dominance for years to come.2

With so much at stake, we've launched a major effort to bring MoveOn's grassroots muscle and Internet organizing to state capitols all across the country. 

This is one of the biggest expansions we've ever taken on. Can you help give us the ongoing resources we need by making a donation of $15 per month? It's easy, and you can cancel at any time.

Yes, I can give $15 a month

Sorry, I can't

Even "blue" states like New York are being hurt by all these tea party governors, because their deep budget cuts are dragging down our entire national economy.

Plus, we've seen over and over how one terrible law like the Arizona immigration bill becomes a model for other states. And Republican governors like Rick Perry are some of the most dangerous challengers to Obama in 2012. That's why we're asking every MoveOn member to help fight back against the awful things these governors are doing.

To take on so many battles at once, we've launched an innovative new online organizing platform called SignOn.org. SignOn brings MoveOn's grassroots muscle and Internet organizing know-how to the state level. And since local officials are so much closer to the people than Congress, grassroots campaigning can have an even bigger impact.

Here's a bit about how it works: 

  • SignOn gives local progressives free access to the basic tools to run their own MoveOn-style actions—including great online petitions, email alerts, savvy media campaigns, and more.

  • MoveOn staff provide expert advice on how to leverage the Internet for the most grassroots power—expertise a lot of local groups really appreciate.

  • MoveOn sends emails about the most urgent campaigns to our list of 5 million members, giving local campaigns a boost of grassroots support they couldn't get anywhere else.

The tea party Republicans have already done enormous damage, and public opinion is turning against them. But with more than a year till the next election, we need to redouble our efforts to stop the next wave of budget cuts and far-right social policies.

It's only with the support of our members that we can take on such an ambitious project. Can you commit to kick in $15? Click here to donate:

Yes, I can give $15 a month

Sorry, I can't

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Michael, Adam Q., Elena, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1.  "State Budget Cuts in the New Fiscal Year Are Unnecessarily Harmful," Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, July 28, 2011
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3550

"2011 Mid-Year Legislative Wrap Up," Center for Reproductive Rights, August 10, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263201&id=30741-10220574-Kso3JWx&t=8 [PDF] 

"Category Archive: Copy Cat Legislation," Immigration Impact, accessed August 19, 2011
http://immigrationimpact.com/category/copy-cat-legislation/

"PSN 2011 Workers Rights Roundup: States Fight Back Against Unprecedented Attacks On Workers," Progressive States Network, August 18, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263203&id=30741-10220574-Kso3JWx&t=9

2. "The GOP Redistricting Advantage," National Journal, June 22, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263375&id=30741-10220574-Kso3JWx&t=10



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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Let's send our Contract to Congress

The very first congressional candidate to endorse the Contract for the American Dream—David Weprin—is in a tight race against his Republican opponent with less than a week to go until the special election in New York. Can you chip in via ActBlue to help carry him over the line?

Contribute
Dear MoveOn member,

This summer more than 300,000 progressives crafted and endorsed the Contract for the American Dream.

Now we have some big news to share: We have our very first endorsement of the Contract by a candidate for Congress.

David Weprin is running in a special election for a House seat in New York next Tuesday. He took the initiative to sign on to the Contract on his own and now, with less than a week to go, he's in a very close race against his Republican opponent.

We have the chance right now to help carry him over the line and show him that we, the American Dream movement, are ready to get behind leaders who will stand up and endorse our vision for America.

Can you help by clicking here to donate to David Weprin's campaign for Congress via his ActBlue page?

Thank for all you do. 

 –Daniel, Robin, Elena, Peter 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 September 7, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Tea party or American Dream?

Rebuild the Dream, Powered by MoveOn.org Civic Action

Save the American dream

Tell CNN: "Give the American Dream Movement air time to respond to President Obama's jobs speech on Thursday, just like you did with the tea party."
Sign the contract

Dear friend,

It's about time. Air time.

The president will give a major speech about jobs and the economy on Thursday.

What will the TV news coverage look like? Will the discussion be lopsided, or will it include a full range of ideas?

Look what happened in January, after the president's State of the Union address. CNN gave time to the Republican Party response, and then also put Michelle Bachmann on the air with the "Tea Party Response."

This Thursday, CNN needs to make space for progressive voices, too. And we need to push to make that happen.

Tell CNN: "Give the American Dream Movement air time to respond to President Obama's jobs speech on Thursday, just like you did with the tea party."

In just a few short months, the American Dream Movement has emerged as an important force in American politics. This summer, hundreds of thousands of regular Americans demanded jobs, not cuts; an end to attacks on the middle class; and fair taxes on corporations and the rich. And we're just getting started.

In July, we had our first local meetings, to discuss the Contract for the American Dream. Incredibly, more than 1,600 groups came together across the country. That's twice as many gatherings as the tea party had when they launched.

It's time to put the American Dream Movement on the air.

After the President's speech, we will release the American Dream Movement's official response, featuring some of our most courageous grassroots leaders. But getting air time is the key to making an impact.

Tell CNN: "Give the American Dream Movement air time to respond to President Obama's jobs speech on Thursday, just like you did with the tea party."

This isn't just about fairness. The analysis and commentary on Thursday could frame the national debate on jobs and the economy for weeks or even months. If an independent, progressive perspective is missing, then the president's position will become the left end of the debate, even when it's already a compromise position.

Our Contract for the American Dream contains workable, progressive ideas and solutions, generated from the ground up by hundreds of thousands of people. No ideas are more worthy of air time. Let's fight to have a chance to share them.

Toward an economy that works for all,

–Van Jones



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Monday, September 5, 2011

Obama did what?

Dear MoveOn member,

I have some tremendously upsetting news: Late Friday, President Obama overruled EPA science and blocked crucial new protections against smog pollution that have been years in the making.1

The decision came after a major campaign by corporate polluters and Republicans to kill the rules.2 The result, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, is likely to be tens of thousands of premature deaths, as well as increased illness among seniors, kids with asthma, and people who have lung problems.3

Worse, in announcing his decision, President Obama repeated discredited tea party talking points about environmental rules costing jobs. The reality is that these standards were the best thing for the economy and the environment. And clean air protections are the perfect issue to remind Americans that enforcing rules to protect citizens' health and safety is one of the most important roles for our government. 

With congressional Republicans planning a series of votes starting this week to block other health and environmental standards, we need to set the record straight, right away.4

Will you write a letter to the editor of your local paper reminding folks that environmental protections like these smog rules protect our health AND strengthen our economy?

Our website will give you some tips and make it easy for you to submit the letter to a newspaper near you. And your letter will help persuade folks in your community that we shouldn't be tearing our government down—we should be making it work.

President Obama tried to bury this news by announcing it hours before Labor Day weekend. But on Labor Day we need him standing up for the kinds of health and safety protections that working folks and labor unions have spent decades fighting for, not repeating Republican talking points about how we don't need them.

What's more, Nobel-Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman pointed out that this anti-smog rule would actually create clean energy jobs: "It would have forced firms to spend on upgrading or replacing equipment, helping to boost demand. Yes, it would have cost money—but that's the point!"5

Help push back against tea party Republicans' message that we can't afford to protect our health and safety. 

Write a letter to the editor today.

Thank you.

–Adam, Robin, Marika, Peter, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Obama pulls back proposed smog standards, in victory for business," The Washington Post, Sept. 2, 2011.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263708&id=30628-10220574-8Ya4RDx&t=3

2. ibid.

3. "Obama asks EPA to back off draft ozone standard," Los Angeles Times, Sept. 2, 2011.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263709&id=30628-10220574-8Ya4RDx&t=4

4. "A Debate Arises on Job Creation and Environment," The New York Times, Sept. 4, 2011.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263710&id=30628-10220574-8Ya4RDx&t=5

5. "Broken Windows, Ozone, and Jobs," The New York Times, Sept. 3, 2011.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263711&id=30628-10220574-8Ya4RDx&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 September 5, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Start a petition

Dear MoveOn member,

We're testing a new tool that lets anyone start their own MoveOn-style petition and we want you to be among the first to try it out.

It's called SignOn.org, and it's a revolutionary approach to online organizing. Instead of MoveOn staff organizing just a few big campaigns, we're turning the keys over to grassroots progressives like you to run thousands of campaigns on local, state, and national issues.

Whether you're a seasoned organizer or a first-time activist, you can create a petition in minutes, and then invite your friends to sign it. We'll send the most popular petitions to other MoveOn members to help build support for your cause.

Click here to start your own petition on SignOn.org right now.

Thanks for all you do.

–Michael, Elena, Mark, Tim, and the rest of the team



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Thursday, September 1, 2011

Re: Time to put our plan to work

Dear friend,

We are a creative and inspired movement, and here's the evidence. 

Last week we asked you to submit and rate ideas for actions people can take to help turn the Contract for the American Dream into a reality. Here are just a few of the top-rated suggestions so far: 

"Create a 50 state plan... for finding Contract for the American Dream candidates for local, state and federal positions."—Tim R. from Georgia

"Similar to Obama's fellows program, develop a fellowship program to train people to educate their communities on the Contract and push this agenda."—J.A.M. from Tennessee

"Develop lists of scientists, celebrities and entertainers, economists and religious leaders who support the Contract." Earon D. from Illinois

This is a great start, but the more ideas we come up with and the more people start spreading the word, the stronger our movement will be.

We need  your help to come up with even more ways to take action. What do you think people can do with the Contract? Submit and rate your best ideas here.

 –Van


Rebuild the Dream, Powered by MoveOn.org Civic Action

Contract for the American dream

We are Rebuilding the American Dream

We're sharing and rating our best ideas for actions people can take to turn the Contract for the American Dream into a reality. Click here to join in:

JOIN 

Dear friend,

Over the past month more than a quarter million people have endorsed the Contract for the American Dream. That's a big deal. Progressives are uniting behind a set of real solutions for fixing our broken economy.

We're coming together because the Contract was built by our movement from the ground up. More than 70 outstanding organizations got involved and helped to make it happen. Hundreds of thousands of people took part in crafting the ten-point plan. It's our plan.
 
But the Contract isn't just an inspiring document. It's a plan to transform our country and it's up to all of us to make it happen. So today we want to open up the door once again and ask for your best ideas for putting the Contract to work.

What are your best ideas for actions people can take to help turn this Contract into a reality?

Submit your best ideas here, and rate ideas from others.
 
We know that this isn't the way organizations usually run campaigns. But we believe in the brilliance of the American Dream movement more than in any one organization.

It could be that one plank speaks to you and you have a great idea for how to work on it locally. You might want to engage with elected or community leaders to get more people excited about the Contract as a whole. You might have a creative idea about how to use art, music, or video to spread the word.

Over the coming weeks we'll make sure we share the best ideas across our movement and provide the resources and tools so that people just like you can go from inspiration to action as quickly and easily as possible.

Our goal is to see Contract for the American Dream campaigns popping up nationwide in a matter of weeks. From efforts to raise awareness about the Contract itself, to local campaigns on individual Contract planks, to endorsements from community leaders and organizations.

The sky's the limit right now. The more ideas we come up with and the more people who jump in and start spreading the word, the better.

Click here to submit and rate ideas.

Thank you for being a part of, and believing in, this movement.

–Van Jones and the rest of the Rebuild the Dream team

P.S. For a refresher, the Contract for the American Dream consists of a simple but powerful ten-point plan:

I. Invest in America's Infrastructure
II. Create 21st Century Energy Jobs
III. Invest in Public Education
IV. Offer Medicare for All
V. Make Work Pay
VI. Secure Social Security
VII. Return to Fairer Tax Rates
VIII. End the Wars and Invest at Home
IX. Tax Wall Street Speculation
X. Strengthen Democracy



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