Monday, April 30, 2012

No BofA protest in Inwood?

Hi

Thousands of activists will confront the biggest of the "too big to fail" banks—Bank of America—on May 9 in Charlotte, NC, at its annual shareholders meeting. They're staging powerful, creative actions to demand accountability from BofA on taxes, foreclosures, clean energy, and more. 

To amplify the message of the 99% in Charlotte that day, communities nationwide are organizing solidarity events on May 9. One hundred cities—from Las Cruces, NM, to Augusta, ME—already have solidarity events planned. The more protests we have, the more pressure we can exert on BofA to do more to help the 99%. 

There isn't a BofA protest in Inwood planned for May 9—can you host one?

Yes! I can organize an event!

Hosting is simple, and it's a fun and powerful way to connect with the 99% in your community. All the steps and materials you'll need for a great event are provided. Check out last week's email below for more background on this national day of action.

Thanks for all you do.

–Elena and the rest of the team


We're organizing protests to amplify the message of people protesting at the Bank of America shareholders meeting in Charlotte, N.C. Can you host a protest at a Bank of America in Inwood on May 9?

Host A BofA Protest!

Dear MoveOn member,

This is what the 99% Spring is all about: 

On Tuesday in San Francisco, Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf got an unexpected welcome to his own annual shareholders meeting: a thousand people in the streets protesting and activist shareholders on the inside interrupting his speech with a "mic check" of their demands.1

The same day, hundreds of people in Detroit mobilized for the annual GE shareholders meeting to demand that GE do more to rebuild the economy. Twenty people disrupted CEO Jeff Immelt's remarks with chants of "pay your fair share."2 

Next up: Bank of America's annual meeting on May 9. In Charlotte, N.C.—BofA's HQ—thousands of people will rally outside the meeting so that CEO Brian Moynihan hears that the 99% want BofA to do more to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, get its money out of politics, and invest its profits to help rebuild the same economy that bailed Bank of America out. 

Progressives have spent months planning a major showdown in Charlotte, and we can help amplify their voices and change the national conversation by protesting Bank of America in our own communities on May 9. The crowd in Charlotte is standing up for all of us against the biggest bank in the country—and some community members will risk arrest. So we need to rally national suport and make sure their voices are heard far and wide.

Can you organize a protest at a Bank of America in Inwood on May 9? 

Yes! I can organize an event!

Remember when Bank of America backtracked on fee hikes after major public pressure?3  Imagine if the public knew just how bad Bank of America actually is for the 99%. Here's the short list: 

  • They haven't paid federal income taxes for the past three years.4
  • They're a foreclosure leader and a cause of the crisis, illegally foreclosing on more than 8,000 homes.5
  • They're the biggest financer of dirty coal, pumping more than $4.3 billion into the coal industry in the past two years.6
  • Last but not least, they've spent over $20 million in lobbying and political campaigning since the 2008 elections—with our bailout money!7

The more light we can shine on their bad corporate practices, the better our chances to hold big companies like Bank of America accountable. By standing together with activists in Charlotte, we're also showing our movement's strength through solidarity.

Can you help send a powerful message to Bank of America—the biggest bank in the U.S.—by hosting a protest in Inwood on Wednesday, May 9?

Yes, I can host an event in solidarity with the protesters in Charlotte!

Thanks for all you do.

–Elena, PaKou, David, Holly, and the rest of the team

P.S. It's really easy to organize an event. Once you create an event, you'll get access to a Host Guide and priority emails with tips and materials to help you organize a powerful protest.

Sources: 

1. "Wells Fargo Protesters Disrupt Stumpf Speech at Meeting," Bloomberg, April 25, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274790&id=40478-10220574-7Nu0AHx&t=5

2. "GE CEO defends tax rate after protesters disrupt speech," The Detroit News, April 24, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274791&id=40478-10220574-7Nu0AHx&t=6

3. "Bank of America drops debit card fees," USA Today, November 1, 2011 
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274792&id=40478-10220574-7Nu0AHx&t=7

4. Bank of America 2012 10-K,
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274798&id=40478-10220574-7Nu0AHx&t=8

5. "J.P. Morgan, BofA, Wells Fargo Tops in Foreclosed Home Loans," The Wall Street Journal, October 12, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=266827&id=40478-10220574-7Nu0AHx&t=9

6. "Bank of America: Risking Public Health and the Climate," Prepared by Rainforest Action Network, November 14, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274793&id=40478-10220574-7Nu0AHx&t=10

7. OpenSecrets.org

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 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 April 30, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Republican political suicide

Hi—I wanted to make sure you saw this email we sent the other day. This is an incredible opportunity, and every dollar counts!


Young voters could decide the 2012 election, and Republicans are slapping them in the face by trying to double the interest rates on student loans this July. We've got a plan to make sure every college student in America knows what's happening and who's to blame. Can you donate $5?

Chip in $5

Dear MoveOn member, 

In 2008, young people voted in record numbers and went for President Obama over John McCain by more than 2-to-1.1 This year, every election expert agrees that if that happens again, Obama will win easily—and the Democrats will probably win back the Congress.

And now Republicans have handed us a golden opportunity to fire up young people to vote in 2012.

You see, because of Republican obstruction in Congress, interest rates on college loans are set to double this July—pouring even more debt on a generation already drowning in student loans. President Obama is pushing Congress to stop it, but as usual Republicans have dug in their heels.2

To make sure young people know what's happening, we're launching one of the largest online ad campaigns in MoveOn history—putting ads on the Facebook page of every college student in America to warn them about this Armageddon of student debt.

We've already tested several versions of these ads, and we know they're effective at getting students to take action. But we'll have to scrap the plan unless we can raise $200,000 from MoveOn members. Can you chip in $5?

Yes, I can contribute $5 to help make sure young people vote in 2012.

MoveOn has already heard from hundreds of thousands of young people freaking out about this—and we're already working to make sure they call Congress, register to vote, and keep taking action on campus.

But really, we need to reach the millions of young people who aren't hearing about this, and hands down the best way to reach them is on Facebook. 

Facebook ads are awesome because unlike TV, radio, or newspaper ads, people can click on them and sign up to take action. And of course, Facebook is where young voters spend so much of their time.

Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of Republican strategists like the idea of another wave of young voter turnout like in 2008, and this Republican war on students gives us a chance to make it happen, if we can act fast.

Click here to contribute $5 to help make sure young people vote in 2012.

Student debt has become an absolutely explosive issue among young people. Since 1999, student loan debt has increased by more than 500%. You may not realize it if you don't have kids or if you went to college 10 or 20 years ago, but it now costs on average more than $21,000 a year to go to a public school with in-state tuition. The best private schools are almost triple that much.3

In fact, we've seen two of the largest petitions in MoveOn history in recent months calling on Congress to provide relief for those drowning in student debt. This is a sleeping giant of an issue, and in the coming weeks it can really blow up.

The Republicans' doubling of interest rates is just the latest attack on students. For years they've been slashing funding for higher education, leading directly to skyrocketing tuition at public colleges and universities. Just last year, they cut $8 billion out of the Pell Grant program for low-income students and reduced the income threshold for eligibility for a full Pell Grant.4

This is the ultimate teachable moment for young voters, showing them who's on their side and why it's so important to vote. With your help, we can make this one of the key turning points of the 2012 election.

Can you contribute $5 to help make sure young people vote in 2012?

Thanks for all you do.

Steven, Joan, Wes, Marika, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Young Voters in the 2008 Election," Pew Research Center for People & the Press, November 12, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274743&id=40284-10220574-RJrUZxx&t=5

2. "Obama To Make Student Loans a Campaign Issue," Slate, April 20, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274744&id=40284-10220574-RJrUZxx&t=6

3. "Chart of the Day: Student Loans Have Grown 511% Since 1999," The Atlantic, August 18, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274368&id=40284-10220574-RJrUZxx&t=7

"College costs climb, yet again," CNN Money, October 29, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274745&id=40284-10220574-RJrUZxx&t=8

4. "Student loan rate hike: What you need to know," CNN Money, April 24, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274746&id=40284-10220574-RJrUZxx&t=9

Paid for by MoveOn.org Civic Action, www.moveon.org, not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 7 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.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 27, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

99% vs. Bank of America in Inwood

We're organizing protests to amplify the message of people protesting at the Bank of America shareholders meeting in Charlotte, N.C. Can you host a protest at a Bank of America in Inwood on May 9?

Host A BofA Protest!

Dear MoveOn member,

This is what the 99% Spring is all about: 

On Tuesday in San Francisco, Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf got an unexpected welcome to his own annual shareholders meeting: a thousand people in the streets protesting and activist shareholders on the inside interrupting his speech with a "mic check" of their demands.1

The same day, hundreds of people in Detroit mobilized for the annual GE shareholders meeting to demand that GE do more to rebuild the economy. Twenty people disrupted CEO Jeff Immelt's remarks with chants of "pay your fair share."2 

Next up: Bank of America's annual meeting on May 9. In Charlotte, N.C.—BofA's HQ—thousands of people will rally outside the meeting so that CEO Brian Moynihan hears that the 99% want BofA to do more to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, get its money out of politics, and invest its profits to help rebuild the same economy that bailed Bank of America out. 

Progressives have spent months planning a major showdown in Charlotte, and we can help amplify their voices and change the national conversation by protesting Bank of America in our own communities on May 9. The crowd in Charlotte is standing up for all of us against the biggest bank in the country—and some community members will risk arrest. So we need to rally national suport and make sure their voices are heard far and wide.

Can you organize a protest at a Bank of America in Inwood on May 9? 

Yes! I can organize an event!

Remember when Bank of America backtracked on fee hikes after major public pressure?3  Imagine if the public knew just how bad Bank of America actually is for the 99%. Here's the short list: 

  • They haven't paid federal income taxes for the past three years.4
  • They're a foreclosure leader and a cause of the crisis, illegally foreclosing on more than 8,000 homes.5
  • They're the biggest financer of dirty coal, pumping more than $4.3 billion into the coal industry in the past two years.6
  • Last but not least, they've spent over $20 million in lobbying and political campaigning since the 2008 elections—with our bailout money!7

The more light we can shine on their bad corporate practices, the better our chances to hold big companies like Bank of America accountable. By standing together with activists in Charlotte, we're also showing our movement's strength through solidarity.

Can you help send a powerful message to Bank of America—the biggest bank in the U.S.—by hosting a protest in Inwood on Wednesday, May 9?

Yes, I can host an event in solidarity with the protesters in Charlotte!

Thanks for all you do.

–Elena, PaKou, David, Holly, and the rest of the team

P.S. It's really easy to organize an event. Once you create an event, you'll get access to a Host Guide and priority emails with tips and materials to help you organize a powerful protest.

Sources: 

1. "Wells Fargo Protesters Disrupt Stumpf Speech at Meeting," Bloomberg, April 25, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274790&id=40201-10220574-%3DC349dx&t=4

2. "GE CEO defends tax rate after protesters disrupt speech," The Detroit News, April 24, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274791&id=40201-10220574-%3DC349dx&t=5

3. "Bank of America drops debit card fees," USA Today, November 1, 2011 
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274792&id=40201-10220574-%3DC349dx&t=6

4. Bank of America 2012 10-K,
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274798&id=40201-10220574-%3DC349dx&t=7

5. "J.P. Morgan, BofA, Wells Fargo Tops in Foreclosed Home Loans," The Wall Street Journal, October 12, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=266827&id=40201-10220574-%3DC349dx&t=8

6. "Bank of America: Risking Public Health and the Climate," Prepared by Rainforest Action Network, November 14, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274793&id=40201-10220574-%3DC349dx&t=9

7. OpenSecrets.org

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 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 April 26, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Did Republicans just lose the election?

Young voters could decide the 2012 election, and Republicans are slapping them in the face by trying to double the interest rates on student loans this July. We've got a plan to make sure every college student in America knows what's happening and who's to blame. Can you donate $5?

Chip in $5

Dear MoveOn member, 

In 2008, young people voted in record numbers and went for President Obama over John McCain by more than 2-to-1.1 This year, every election expert agrees that if that happens again, Obama will win easily—and the Democrats will probably win back the Congress.

And now Republicans have handed us a golden opportunity to fire up young people to vote in 2012.

You see, because of Republican obstruction in Congress, interest rates on college loans are set to double this July—pouring even more debt on a generation already drowning in student loans. President Obama is pushing Congress to stop it, but as usual Republicans have dug in their heels.2

To make sure young people know what's happening, we're launching one of the largest online ad campaigns in MoveOn history—putting ads on the Facebook page of every college student in America to warn them about this Armageddon of student debt.

We've already tested several versions of these ads, and we know they're effective at getting students to take action. But we'll have to scrap the plan unless we can raise $200,000 from MoveOn members. Can you chip in $5?

Yes, I can contribute $5 to help make sure young people vote in 2012.

MoveOn has already heard from hundreds of thousands of young people freaking out about this—and we're already working to make sure they call Congress, register to vote, and keep taking action on campus.

But really, we need to reach the millions of young people who aren't hearing about this, and hands down the best way to reach them is on Facebook. 

Facebook ads are awesome because unlike TV, radio, or newspaper ads, people can click on them and sign up to take action. And of course, Facebook is where young voters spend so much of their time.

Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of Republican strategists like the idea of another wave of young voter turnout like in 2008, and this Republican war on students gives us a chance to make it happen, if we can act fast.

Click here to contribute $5 to help make sure young people vote in 2012.

Student debt has become an absolutely explosive issue among young people. Since 1999, student loan debt has increased by more than 500%. You may not realize it if you don't have kids or if you went to college 10 or 20 years ago, but it now costs on average more than $21,000 a year to go to a public school with in-state tuition. The best private schools are almost triple that much.3

In fact, we've seen two of the largest petitions in MoveOn history in recent months calling on Congress to provide relief for those drowning in student debt. This is a sleeping giant of an issue, and in the coming weeks it can really blow up.

The Republicans' doubling of interest rates is just the latest attack on students. For years they've been slashing funding for higher education, leading directly to skyrocketing tuition at public colleges and universities. Just last year, they cut $8 billion out of the Pell Grant program for low-income students and reduced the income threshold for eligibility for a full Pell Grant.4

This is the ultimate teachable moment for young voters, showing them who's on their side and why it's so important to vote. With your help, we can make this one of the key turning points of the 2012 election.

Can you contribute $5 to help make sure young people vote in 2012?

Thanks for all you do.

Steven, Joan, Wes, Marika, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Young Voters in the 2008 Election," Pew Research Center for People & the Press, November 12, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274743&id=40133-10220574-PE57U5x&t=5

2. "Obama To Make Student Loans a Campaign Issue," Slate, April 20, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274744&id=40133-10220574-PE57U5x&t=6

3. "Chart of the Day: Student Loans Have Grown 511% Since 1999," The Atlantic, August 18, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274368&id=40133-10220574-PE57U5x&t=7

"College costs climb, yet again," CNN Money, October 29, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274745&id=40133-10220574-PE57U5x&t=8

4. "Student loan rate hike: What you need to know," CNN Money, April 24, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274746&id=40133-10220574-PE57U5x&t=9

Paid for by MoveOn.org Civic Action, www.moveon.org, not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 7 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.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 25, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Have an idea for a petition?

Dear MoveOn member,

Have you ever heard the story of how MoveOn started? In 1998, when Newt Gingrich and the Republicans in Congress were focusing all of their efforts on impeaching President Clinton over a sex scandal, we started a simple online petition: "Censure President Clinton and Move On to Pressing Issues Facing the Nation."

We had no past political experience, but we felt passionately about our message and shared the petition with as many of our friends as we could think of. Within days, the petition went viral, and we had hundreds of thousands of signatures. And from the list of people who signed that original petition grew MoveOn.org—an organization of 7.5 million members and a powerful progressive force in American politics.

Because we've seen firsthand how regular people can make a difference, we're thrilled that MoveOn has launched a new website called SignOn.org where anyone can start their own online petitions. MoveOn will even email out the most popular petitions to help build support for your cause—and as always we'll never ever sell your personal information to anyone.

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

As always, thanks for all you do.

–Wes Boyd & Joan Blades
Founders of MoveOn.org

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 7 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.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 24, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Start a petition?

Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday, we asked you in a survey what local issues you're paying close attention to, and you answered: "jzKnM0 pcmkwhaknuov, [url=http://ehnpcwlstwzm.com/]ehnpcwlstwzm[/url], [link=http://suysgubjsvhm.com/]suysgubjsvhm[/link], http://yvzalpbytxvy.com/"

MoveOn can't take up every important local issue—but did you know that you can start up your own online petition on this or any issue on our new website, SignOn.org?

Creating a petition is incredibly easy—in just a couple short clicks, you can immediately start sharing your petition with friends to collect signatures.

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

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Elena, Stefanie, Anna, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is 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.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 24, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Seen Rove's Latest Ad

Below is an email from our friends at Environment America, who created a petition at SignOn.org that we thought was important enough to pass along.

Dear MoveOn member,

Conservatives have the Environmental Protection Agency in their crosshairs.

Karl Rove's Super PAC just launched a new set of ads attacking the EPA's crucial new rule to limit carbon pollution from power plants.

And Rove isn't alone. Fossil fuel companies are committing millions this election cycle to undermine EPA efforts to defend our clean air, all in the name of their corporate interests.

We need to fight back—and we need your help TODAY.

If our coalition of supporters can generate 500,000 public comments in support of the carbon pollution standard by Tuesday, April 24, our partners will hand-deliver your signature to the EPA.

Click here to add your name in support of the carbon pollution standard, and then share it with your friends.

The petition comment reads:

"I strongly urge the EPA to limit industrial carbon pollution from new and existing power plants. We must do more to keep our families and communities safe from dangerous power plant pollution."

Let's send a clear signal to the Rove's of the world that we're going to fight tooth and nail to protect the health of our families and fragile climate.
Thanks for speaking up,

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=274720&id=39995-10220574-dYea2ex&t=2

Thanks!

–Margie Alt, Executive Director, Environment America

The text above was written by Environment America, 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. If you have concerns or feedback about this petition, click here.


Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 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 April 23, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

One day left to help homeowners

So far, President Obama hasn't taken any steps to insist that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac offer homeowners real help by bringing mortgages in line with real-world home values. If we can get just 3,000 more signatures by Sunday, President Obama's own policy requires him to respond. Can you add your name?  

Sign the Petition!

Dear MoveOn member,

Imagine seeing the bank bulldoze your home, or let it stand empty and vandalized, when you could have easily kept paying a mortgage based on your home's real value. Or being rejected for a mortgage adjustment, only to see the bank turn around and sell your home to a stranger for thousands less than you had offered them.

Why do these kinds of stories continue to play out across the country? Because Ed DeMarco, acting head of the Federal Housing Finance Authority, won't let major mortgage holders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allow homeowners to bring their mortgages in line with real-world home values.1 

President Obama has the ability right now to insist that Fannie and Freddie allow homeowners to adjust their mortgages, and to replace DeMarco or anyone who stands in the way. And although economists, members of Congress, and thousands of people like you have asked the president to act, he hasn't responded yet.2

That's why our allies at Rebuild The Dream have started a petition on the White House's own site, asking the president to push Fannie and Freddie to throw homeowners a lifeline by allowing them to adjust mortgages to real home values. If we can get just 3,000 more signatures by Sunday, the petition will cross the 25,000 mark—and it's President Obama's policy to respond to anything that meets that threshold. Can you add your name and demand real help for homeowners?

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=273624&id=39854-10220574-J_17pyx&t=2

We know these petitions work. President Obama released several measures to help address student loan debt in response to a petition started on the White House site by a MoveOn member. And with DeMarco facing pressure to change his policy, it could only take one more push to get real help for millions of homeowners.3

The petition needs to get 3,000 more signatures quickly in order to get a response from the president. Can you help reach that goal before time runs out?

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=273624&id=39854-10220574-J_17pyx&t=3

It isn't just homeowners with underwater mortgages who win if Fannie and Freddie adjust mortgages to fair home values. It would reduce foreclosures, help maintain property values for all homeowners, and save taxpayers $28 billion.4 And new studies released by Fannie and Freddie themselves confirm it.5

The housing crisis has left neighborhoods devastated, and millions have lost their homes.  And with 12 million homes still at risk for foreclosure, the country needs policies that work, and that means allowing homeowners to bring their mortgages in line with real-world home values.6

Homeowners and progressive organizations across the country have been fighting to save homes with rallies, home occupations, phone calls, and more.7 Getting Fannie and Freddie to give homeowners a real lifeline is the next step, and it could help millions.

Can you join members of MoveOn, Rebuild the Dream, and other progressive groups who have already called on President Obama to give homeowners real help by pushing Fannie and Freddie to let homeowners bring mortgages in line with real home values?

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=273624&id=39854-10220574-J_17pyx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Elena, Stefanie, Amy, Milan, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Edward DeMarco: The Ideologue Who's Holding Homeowners—and the Economy—Hostage," The Huffington Post, February 14, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=271260&id=39854-10220574-J_17pyx&t=5

2. "Co-Chairs Grijalva, Ellison Call for Justice for Underwater Mortgage Holders," Congressional Progressive Caucus, February 29, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=272740&id=39854-10220574-J_17pyx&t=6

"Rep. Frank joins calls for top Fannie, Freddie regulator to be replaced," The Hill, March 11, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=272666&id=39854-10220574-J_17pyx&t=7

"Kamala Harris To Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac: Halt Foreclosures In California," The Huffington Post, February 27, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=271807&id=39854-10220574-J_17pyx&t=8

3. "Mortgage Write-Downs Get New Push," The Wall Street Journal, March 30, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=273785&id=39854-10220574-J_17pyx&t=9

4. "Edward DeMarco: The Ideologue Who's Holding Homeowners—and the Economy—Hostage," The Huffington Post, February 14, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=271260&id=39854-10220574-J_17pyx&t=10

5. "Fannie and Freddie: Slashing Mortgages Is Good Business," ProPublica, March 23, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=273784&id=39854-10220574-J_17pyx&t=11

6. "Co-Chairs Grijalva, Ellison Call for Justice for Underwater Mortgage Holders," Congressional Progressive Caucus, February 29, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=272740&id=39854-10220574-J_17pyx&t=12

7. "Occupy Atlanta: Fighting to stop an eviction in DeKalb," Occupy Our Homes, March 23, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=273786&id=39854-10220574-J_17pyx&t=13

"Victory keeps project moving to save homes," Superior Telegram, March 30, 2012
http://www.superiortelegram.com/event/article/id/64665/

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 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 April 21, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Two days left

So far, President Obama hasn't taken any steps to insist that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac offer homeowners real help by bringing mortgages in line with real-world home values. If we can get just 4,000 more signatures by Sunday, President Obama's own policy requires him to respond. Can you add your name?  

Sign the Petition!

Dear MoveOn member,

Imagine seeing the bank bulldoze your home, or let it stand empty and vandalized, when you could have easily kept paying a mortgage based on your home's real value. Or being rejected for a mortgage adjustment, only to see the bank turn around and sell your home to a stranger for thousands less than you had offered them.

Why do these kinds of stories continue to play out across the country? Because Ed DeMarco, acting head of the Federal Housing Finance Authority, won't let major mortgage holders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allow homeowners to bring their mortgages in line with real-world home values.1 

President Obama has the ability right now to insist that Fannie and Freddie allow homeowners to adjust their mortgages, and to replace DeMarco or anyone who stands in the way. And although economists, members of Congress, and thousands of people like you have asked the president to act, he hasn't responded yet.2

That's why our allies at Rebuild The Dream have started a petition on the White House's own site, asking the president to push Fannie and Freddie to throw homeowners a lifeline by allowing them to adjust mortgages to real home values. If we can get just 4,000 more signatures by Sunday, the petition will cross the 25,000 mark—and it's President Obama's policy to respond to anything that meets that threshold. Can you add your name and demand real help for homeowners?

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=273624&id=39797-10220574-V94cXWx&t=2

We know these petitions work. President Obama released several measures to help address student loan debt in response to a petition started on the White House site by a MoveOn member. And with DeMarco facing pressure to change his policy, it could only take one more push to get real help for millions of homeowners.3

The petition needs to get 4,000 more signatures quickly in order to get a response from the president. Can you help reach that goal before time runs out?

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=273624&id=39797-10220574-V94cXWx&t=3

It isn't just homeowners with underwater mortgages who win if Fannie and Freddie adjust mortgages to fair home values. It would reduce foreclosures, help maintain property values for all homeowners, and save taxpayers $28 billion.4 And new studies released by Fannie and Freddie themselves confirm it.5

The housing crisis has left neighborhoods devastated, and millions have lost their homes.  And with 12 million homes still at risk for foreclosure, the country needs policies that work, and that means allowing homeowners to bring their mortgages in line with real-world home values.6

Homeowners and progressive organizations across the country have been fighting to save homes with rallies, home occupations, phone calls, and more.7 Getting Fannie and Freddie to give homeowners a real lifeline is the next step, and it could help millions.

Can you join members of MoveOn, Rebuild the Dream, and other progressive groups who have already called on President Obama to give homeowners real help by pushing Fannie and Freddie to let homeowners bring mortgages in line with real home values?

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=273624&id=39797-10220574-V94cXWx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Elena, Stefanie, Amy, Milan, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Edward DeMarco: The Ideologue Who's Holding Homeowners—and the Economy—Hostage," The Huffington Post, February 14, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=271260&id=39797-10220574-V94cXWx&t=5

2. "Co-Chairs Grijalva, Ellison Call for Justice for Underwater Mortgage Holders," Congressional Progressive Caucus, February 29, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=272740&id=39797-10220574-V94cXWx&t=6

"Rep. Frank joins calls for top Fannie, Freddie regulator to be replaced," The Hill, March 11, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=272666&id=39797-10220574-V94cXWx&t=7

"Kamala Harris To Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac: Halt Foreclosures In California," The Huffington Post, February 27, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=271807&id=39797-10220574-V94cXWx&t=8

3. "Mortgage Write-Downs Get New Push," The Wall Street Journal, March 30, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=273785&id=39797-10220574-V94cXWx&t=9

4. "Edward DeMarco: The Ideologue Who's Holding Homeowners—and the Economy—Hostage," The Huffington Post, February 14, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=271260&id=39797-10220574-V94cXWx&t=10

5. "Fannie and Freddie: Slashing Mortgages Is Good Business," ProPublica, March 23, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=273784&id=39797-10220574-V94cXWx&t=11

6. "Co-Chairs Grijalva, Ellison Call for Justice for Underwater Mortgage Holders," Congressional Progressive Caucus, February 29, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=272740&id=39797-10220574-V94cXWx&t=12

7. "Occupy Atlanta: Fighting to stop an eviction in DeKalb," Occupy Our Homes, March 23, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=273786&id=39797-10220574-V94cXWx&t=13

"Victory keeps project moving to save homes," Superior Telegram, March 30, 2012
http://www.superiortelegram.com/event/article/id/64665/

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 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 April 20, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Cripple the conservative movement

We can weaken one of the conservative movement's most powerful entities, ALEC, by calling out AT&T for continuing to support the policy organization that works to suppress votes and weaponize racial profiling.

Here's who to call at AT&T:

Corporate PR staffer Mark Siegel
(404) 986-1803



Report Your Call

Dear MoveOn member,

The dominoes keep falling: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Kraft, McDonald's...now we need to reach out and knock over AT&T.

These are the corporate backers of ALEC, the right-wing policy factory that's been pushing disastrous laws for over two decades promoting gun violence, union busting, and suppressing the vote of students, seniors, and people of color.

But in the last two weeks, something amazing happened: the progressive movement dealt them a crushing blow. By shaming ALEC's corporate backers for their role in supporting ALEC's harmful policies—particularly towards communities of color—our friends at ColorOfChange have these corporations falling like dominoes.1

But not all of them. And as long as ALEC has money from corporate giants like AT&T, ALEC's conservative policy machine is still in business.

Today we need to keep doing what's working and turn up the heat on AT&T. And if there's something AT&T knows about—it's phone calls. So if we call AT&T today, demanding they cut their ties with ALEC, then we can get the next ALEC domino to fall and weaken the entire conservative movement's ability to spread policy across the country.

Here's who to call at AT&T:

Corporate PR staffer Mark Siegel
(404) 986-1803

Then report your call by clicking here.

Right now, state legislatures in Alaska, Nebraska, New York, Iowa, and Massachusetts are attempting to bring ALEC-modeled Kill at Will laws to their states.2 And, as we saw in Trayvon Martin's case, these laws can give a license to racial profiling and lead to tragedies leads for young men of color.

We cannot afford for even one more life to be lost at the hands of a killer hiding behind these Kill at Will laws. We also can't accept another vote being denied by ALEC's voter suppression schemes. By calling out the corporations, like AT&T, that financed the drafting and advocacy for these corrosive policies, we help ensure that they won't spread any further.3

ALEC's starting to try to cover their tracks, and just issued a statement that it will no longer focus on elections and public safety. But this does not change the simple truth: ALEC and its corporate backers like AT&T must be held accountable for the disastrous policies they drafted, approved, and attempted to make into law in all 50 states.

Step up now and tell AT&T: "Drop ALEC." The more of us that call quickly, the less power ALEC will have to advance its agenda.

Here's who to call:

Corporate PR staffer Mark Siegel  
(404) 986-1803

Then report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?cp_id=1752&tg=718&id=39698-10220574-aqkXbvx&t=3

More than half a million MoveOn members called for justice for Trayvon. Now we must deepen that call and fight against not only the individual acts of racial profiling, but also institutional measures that can make prejudice deadly. The first step is making sure that corporations like AT&T stop supporting institutions like ALEC.

Thanks for all you do.

–Garlin, Anna, Laura, Marika, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "ALEC support wanes: Kraft abandons conservative group," Politico, April 5, 2012
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0412/74893.html

2. "Five States Still Debating 'Stand Your Ground' Laws After Trayvon Martin's Tragic Death," ThinkProgress, March 26, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274614&id=39698-10220574-aqkXbvx&t=4

3. "ALEC Backs Down," The New York Times, April 17, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274615&id=39698-10220574-aqkXbvx&t=5

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 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 April 19, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Big money's influence in Albany

Can you call Gov. Cuomo and ask him to stand by his word and help make New York the first state since Citizens United to limit the influence of money in politics?

Here's the number to call:

(518) 474-8390

Report Your Call!
Dear MoveOn member,

We have a chance, right now, to help make New York the first state since Citizens United to pass legislation limiting the influence of big money in politics.

The legislature is considering a fair elections proposal that would lower campaign contribution limits and provide public financing to candidates so they can run for office without a Rolodex full of lobbyists and wealthy friends.

Whether the plan moves forward depends on Governor Cuomo fighting hard for it. He pledged his support for public financing of elections earlier this year. Now we need to let him know we're counting on him to follow through. So today, a broad coalition of groups including unions, community groups, and business leaders is launching an aggressive campaign to make sure he stands by his word and protects New York's democracy.

Can you call Governor Cuomo today and urge him to keep his promise and lead the fight to limit the influence of money in politics in New York?

Here's the number:

(518) 474-8390

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?cp_id=1750&tg=715&id=39595-10220574-TQ3Byzx&t=2

Ever since Citizens United, corporations and the ultra-rich have been able to flood our elections with cash like never before. Up and down the ballot, they're buying influence, trying to elect their friends, and corrupting our democracy.

And that's a big problem because important issues that affect the lives of millions of people every day are decided by our state government. Whether it's hydrofracking, quality education, affordable health care, fair taxes, or equality for all New Yorkers—the issues that matter to New York's families and communities are being decided in Albany.

Plus, if the fair elections plan passes, it could have a big national impact and help New York continue to re-establish itself as a state where progressive reforms take root, and the rest of the nation follows suit.

Can you take a moment and let the governor know that, as a MoveOn member and a progressive New Yorker, you expect him to keep his promise and push hard to pass the fair election plan?

Here's the number again:

(518) 474-8390

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?cp_id=1749&tg=714&id=39595-10220574-TQ3Byzx&t=3

Thanks for all you do.

–Robin, Elena, Amy, Joan, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 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 April 18, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, April 16, 2012

TOMORROW in Manhattan: A 99% Tax Day protest

You're Invited:
Tax the 1% Protest:
Tuesday in Manhattan


Host: Arlene G. 

Where: Bank of America Tower (across from Bryant Park) (in Manhattan)

When: Tuesday, Apr. 17, at 4:00 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, but I'm interested in getting more updates.

WhatThis Tax Day, we are demanding that the 1% pay their fair share of taxes. While most of us pay taxes for schools, roads, and other vital services—billionaires and 1% companies like Wells Fargo and GE pay nothing. That's why we're protesting, marching, and rallying in hundreds of cities to tell the 1% that it's time to pay their fair share. Can you join us in Manhattan on Tuesday? 
 

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 7 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.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 16, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

HUGE

If the Bush tax cuts are extended, progressives are hosed—we need to start campaigning now to make sure that doesn't happen. And Tax Day is the right moment to launch. Can you help get our creative new ad campaign on the air and ask the 1% to do their part?

I'll Chip In $5

Dear MoveOn member,

The whole ballgame. The whole kit and kaboodle. Game over for progressives.

That's what December 31 could be. On that date, 1.1 trillion dollars in tax breaks for the rich will expire and force a major re-jiggering of our tax code.1

Unless we all mobilize, the wealthiest 1% will get yet another round of tax breaks, which will basically bankrupt our country and likely lead to HUGE cuts to schools, Social Security, health care, clean energy, or environmental protection.

But if we fight hard enough, the expiring tax breaks can be our leverage to finally win fair taxes on the very rich—enough to fund better schools, Head Start, clean water, and everything else we care about.

This end-of-the-year fight is one we have to win. But right now progressives are barely even talking about it.

We need to get on the ball, and make fair taxes an issue every day between now and November. We need to make sure the election is a referendum on taxing the 1%—and that it goes our direction.

Now is the time to launch this campaign. The Senate will vote tomorrow on the "Buffet Rule" to make millionaires and billionaires pay fair taxes, Tuesday is Tax Day, and Mitt Romney, who wants even lower taxes for himself and other millionaires, just clinched the Republican nomination.2

MoveOn's creative team is putting together a very funny, memorable ad campaign highlighting the insanity of a tax system that makes secretaries pay higher taxes than their billionaire bosses. And if we raise $200,000 today, we can get it on air by Tax Day. Can you help?

Yes, I can contribute $5 to make sure millionaires pay their fair share.

If progressives play our cards right, we have a real chance to make sure not just that the Bush tax cuts for the rich expire, but that we close all the other loopholes that allow giant corporations and millionaires like Mitt to pay lower taxes than the rest of us. That's because all the expiring tax cuts, plus automatic defense cuts required by the debt ceiling deal, give us a lot of leverage. So it's a huge opportunity.

But it's also a moment of enormous peril. Republicans are pushing to extend all the tax breaks for the rich and even add new ones, using their normal hostage tactics.3 They did the same thing two years ago, and even with Democrats in charge of Congress, they won.

And on top of that, the debt ceiling deal triggers massive new cuts to vital programs, right at that same time. If those automatic new cuts kick in, and the rich get new tax breaks, good-bye American Dream. Every program the middle class and the poor depend on, from student loans to Medicare, will see the axe. There. Will. Be. No. Money. Left.

That's why we need a major campaign to expose how the system is tilted to benefit the 1%, and to get the 99% fired up and fighting back.

This is the moment to launch this fight! The media and the public will be focused on taxes over the next week. If we can raise $200,000 to launch this campaign, we'll make it MoveOn's top priority, and starting raising a ruckus for fair taxes. Can you help?

Yes, I can contribute $5 to make sure millionaires pay their fair share.

If we're going to get the 1% to pay their fair share again, we have to expose the system they've created to benefit themselves. It starts now.

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Milan, Wes, Elena, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Decision Time: The Fiscal Effects of Extending the 2001 and 2003 Tax Cuts," Pew Charitable Trusts, June 24, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274321&id=&id=39386-10220574-H4T7zax&t=5

2. "Buffett Rule Set To Fail In Senate Vote Despite Obama's Campaign," Policymic, April 11, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274318&id=39386-10220574-H4T7zax&t=6

"Wealthy would cash in under Romney tax plan," CNN Money, March 1, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274314&id=39386-10220574-H4T7zax&t=7

3. "Buffett Rule Set To Fail In Senate Vote Despite Obama's Campaign," Policymic, April 11, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274318&id=39386-10220574-H4T7zax&t=8

"GOP weighs tax vote push," Politico, March 29, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274322&id=39386-10220574-H4T7zax&t=9

"Statement of Robert Greenstein, President, on Chairman Ryan's Budget Plan," Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, March 21, 2012
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3712


Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 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 April 15, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.