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Can you help us stop Republicans from pushing the economy off a cliff August 2 by failing to lift the debt ceiling?
A plunging dollar.1 Crashing markets.2 A huge increase in unemployment.3 A stop to Social Security and veterans' checks.4 All that is being risked by Republicans to protect tax breaks for the rich and corporations.
We can't campaign against every Republican all at once. But if enough of us contribute, we can have a big impact on the most vulnerable Republicans right with their own voters.
These "bellwether Republicans" stand at the edge of defeat at the next election. We can push them over that edge by telling their voters how they're siding with the rich and big business against everyone else. That will show every vulnerable Republican, and the party leadership, how politically destructive their radical position is.
So, we're launching a hyper-targeted campaign on these bellwether Republicans that includes viral video and an advertising campaign in production right now. Our media buyers are poised to book spots depending on what we raise.
Who are some of these bellwether Republicans?
They say all politics is local, so that's exactly where we're going, by tailoring videos and ads to vulnerable Republicans—by name.
It's painstaking work, but worth the effort if we can raise enough money to make vulnerable Republicans hear their own name called out on the airwaves for protecting the rich and damning everyone else. And put the fear of defeat into every Republican thinking of crashing our economy.
Thanks for all you do,
–Daniel, Wes, Elena, Peter, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Moody's Cracks Dollar's Foundations," The Wall Street Journal, July 14, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=211235&id=28842-10220574-hgs9RKx&t=4
2. "Debt Ceiling Warning: Inaction Would Double Interest Rates, Crash Market," U.S. News & World Report, May 10, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=211236&id=28842-10220574-hgs9RKx&t=5
3. "The Risks of Debt Default on the Economy and Jobs," Center for American Progress, July 7, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=211238&id=28842-10220574-hgs9RKx&t=6
4. "Obama ends tense debt talks with a warning," Los Angeles Times, July 14, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=211239&id=28842-10220574-hgs9RKx&t=7
5. "Election 2010: Illinois," The New York Times
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=211232&id=28842-10220574-hgs9RKx&t=8
6. "Election 2010: Texas," The New York Times
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=211243&id=28842-10220574-hgs9RKx&t=9
7. "Election 2010: Minnesota," The New York Times
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=211233&id=28842-10220574-hgs9RKx&t=10
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.
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On Saturday I'm hosting a meeting in Jamaica to help shape a new progressive plan for fixing our broken economy. Tens of thousands of people are gathering at meetings just like this one all across the country this weekend. I hope you'll join us here in Jamaica.
Right now our leaders in Washington don't have a plan to solve our economic problems. Instead they're just threatening to destroy vital programs to protect tax cuts for the rich.
At the meeting we'll share our stories and work together to craft our plan—the Contract for the American Dream—to create an economy that works for all of us.
My goal for the meeting on Saturday is to connect at a human level with people in our community who are ready to have conversations we too often avoid—conversations about our own dreams, about what really matters in our lives, and about what it would take for us to work together to turn our aspirational visions into lasting change.
Can you join us in Jamaica this Saturday, Jul. 16, 2011, at 11:00 AM?
I'm hosting this meeting because we're seeing, right now, what happens in Washington when we don't come together to put forward a strong progressive economic vision—our leaders end up debating how to slash funding for Medicare and Social Security in order to protect tax cuts and loopholes for giant corporations and the rich.
It's up to us to show them a better way by building a real progressive vision for how to create good jobs and get our economy moving again.
Over the past ten days more than 23,000 ideas have been submitted online for the Contract for the American Dream, and together we've rated them over 5.4 million times. Now, at this weekend's meetings, we're going to zero in on the top-rated ideas and figure out together what belongs in our plan.
There's a lot of energy out there and the response so far has been huge. These meetings are shaping up to be bigger than any MoveOn events of the 2008 presidential election. I hope you'll come and bring your story, your enthusiasm, and your best ideas.
Will join me in Jamaica on Saturday?
Hope to see you there,
Desean b.
And don't worry, this email was sent through the MoveOn system, so your personal contact info is kept private.
| Can you call Rep. McCarthy right now and urge her to sign on to the letter from the Progressive Caucus that says no to any debt deal that includes cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid? She should call Rep. Grijalva's office to sign on. Representative Carolyn McCarthy |
From the Huffington Post: "When word leaked out this past week that Obama was proposing cuts to entitlements, Democrats in Congress and outside advocates kicked their opposition into high gear...[which] may have broken the back of the bargain."1
But despite the quick progress won by MoveOn members and our allies, cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are still on the table. So we have to do more, today.
Our best shot is to get more House Democrats to join Leader Nancy Pelosi, who's been strongly saying that benefit cuts to such vital programs are unacceptable.2 If enough do, a deal like that can't pass.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus, led by Representatives Raúl Grijalva and Keith Ellison, is circulating an emergency "Dear Colleague" letter to stop any deal that cuts these benefits. Dozens have already signed, but they need our help to get dozens more today.
Can you pick up the phone right now and call Representative Carolyn McCarthy's office? Tell her: "The Progressive Caucus is circulating a letter saying they won't accept a debt deal that includes cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits. I urge you to contact Rep. Grijalva immediately to sign on."
Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516
If enough House Democrats sign this letter, they'll have the power to block a deal that places all the burden of reducing our deficit on seniors and middle and working class Americans. As New York Times political analyst Nate Silver put it:
Even if Mr. Boehner gets his 121 [Republican] votes, he'd still need help from 96 Democrats for the bill to pass...[and only] 166 Democrats to pick from...About 80 of them, in fact, are members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus...3
That means we just need to convince about 45 more Democrats to sign on to their letter. Then the deal being cooked up to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits becomes politically impossible.
But we have to act urgently. Key Democratic and Republican leaders are negotiating with the president right now on a deal that could cut benefits. If an agreement is reached, pressure will mount quickly on House Democrats to agree. So we have to kill this deal before it even happens.
Please pick up the phone right away and call Representative Carolyn McCarthy. Ask her to sign on to the Progressive Caucus letter to save Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits by calling Rep. Grijalva's office today.
Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516
Thanks for all you do.
–Daniel, Adam Q., Elena, Eli, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "John Boehner Rejects Obama's Grand Bargain On Debt Ceiling," Huffington Post, July 9, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=211094&id=28778-10220574-AaBYsSx&t=4
2. "Pelosi: Medicare, Social Security Benefit Cuts Are Line In The Sand On Debt Limit Bill," Talking Points Memo, July 7, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=210945&id=28778-10220574-AaBYsSx&t=5
3. "Liberal Democrats Have Leverage on Debt Deal," The New York Times, July 7, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=210946&id=28778-10220574-AaBYsSx&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.
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Contract for the American Dream Today we need as many of us as possible to rate ideas that will help protect the foundation for strong communities and a thriving middle class in this country. Click here to join in:  Dear MoveOn member, Three weeks ago, I announced the launch of Rebuild the Dream, and we started the process to create a Contract for the American Dream. I was hopeful and optimistic. But honestly, the whole idea was unproven. I wasn't quite sure if everyone else felt the same sense of energy and opportunity that I felt.Now I'm convinced—because in the past three weeks more than 13,000 people have signed up to gather at American Dream house meetings, 16,000 ideas have been submitted for possible inclusion in the Contract for the American Dream, and together we've rated them more than 3.5 million times! Today I'm writing to ask you to help finish collecting and rating the very best solutions. We will feed these ideas into our discussions at next week's meetings about what belongs in the Contract. The final area we're focusing on is how to protect the foundation for strong communities and a thriving middle class in this country: good schools, access to healthcare, a clean environment, robust Social Security, and a strong safety net for when hard times hit. To remind us how we ended up here, we put together a funny and informative new video that lays out how the middle class got in trouble in the first place. Check it out. Then let's finish choosing the best Contract for the American Dream ideas:  People with opposing ideas to ours crafted their vision nearly 40 years ago. Ever since, they've been systematically dismantling the middle class in this country. Now it's up to us, right now, to unite as a movement, craft our vision, and stop them in their tracks. I've already watched something amazing happen this year that's given me confidence. Ever since the protests in Wisconsin this winter, I've watched the whole progressive movement come together. I've seen the energy spread from the Capitol in Madison to nearly every corner of this country. This is a big opportunity, and I'm excited that you're already a part of it. Today I hope you'll join in one more time and help find the very best ideas for how we can ensure access to great healthcare, provide for our seniors, run a great public school system, and do everything we can to keep our families and communities strong. Click here to join in and start rating ideas: Thanks for all you do. –Van Jones |
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66% of Americans think we should cut the deficit by raising taxes on the rich.1 Less than 4% think we should start by cutting Social Security and Medicare.2
In a working democracy, these would be settled questions. And yet, yesterday, reports broke that President Obama offered up cuts to Social Security and other vital programs as part of a deal on the deficit. All while Republicans refuse to even consider raising taxes on the rich.It's clear that we'll never make the economy work for regular folks until our democracy does too—until we take the power to make decisions away from corporate lobbyists and the super-rich and put it back in the hands of the the people.
So today, as part of our Contract for the American Dream, we're looking for ideas that will help us build a working democracy. To prime the pump, we made a great, funny video about one of the most important tools regular folks have used over the years to make their voices heard: unions.
Check out the video, then help identify the best ideas for making our democracy work for all of us.
Together it all adds up to a broad attack on our right to have our voices heard and ultimately have control over our economy and our democracy.
All week we've been looking for the best ideas to include in the new Contract for the American Dream—ideas for fixing our economy and uniting our movement. The response has been amazing and so far we've collected more than 13,000 ideas for creating good jobs and making sure we all pay our share. Together, we've rated those ideas more than 3 million times!
Today it's time to focus on solutions that will make sure that we, the people, call the shots in the economy—and that no one gets left out.
Can you add your ideas, and then help find the very best ones by rating a few ideas from others?
Thanks for all you do.
–Justin, Tate, Robin, Elena, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "More Blame Wars than Domestic Spending or Tax Cuts for Nation's Debt," Pew Research Center, June 7, 2011.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=210934&id=28686-10220574-G8cDlHx&t=5
2. "Poll: To Reduce Deficit, Most Americans say Tax the Rich More," cbsnews.com, January 3, 2011.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=210872&id=28686-10220574-G8cDlHx&t=6
| The news just hit that President Obama may be offering cuts to Social Security to get a debt deal with Republicans. Can you call the White House and tell President Obama: "No deal where seniors pay—No deal where the rich don't"? The White House: |
There are breaking news reports that President Obama is offering to cut Social Security to convince Republicans to keep the country from defaulting on its debts.1 After months of affirming that Social Security doesn't add to the deficit,2 and ruling out benefit cuts in the State of the Union,3 the White House's reversal is stunning.
Eight key Democrat and Republican leaders are coming to the White House today to address the crisis over our country's looming default.
Republicans are dominating this negotiation, because their tea party supporters are demanding that they take a hard line. If we want the president and the Democratic leadership to have any leverage in these negotiations, we have to do the same.
We have to make it absolutely clear that a deficit reduction deal that puts the primary burden on seniors and the middle class is unacceptable. It's unacceptable to the very people who vote for Democrats, donate, volunteer, and knock on door after door to get them elected.
Call right now to flood the White House with calls. Tell the president: No deal where seniors pay. No deal where the rich and corporations don't.
The White House: (202) 456-1111Then, please report your call by clicking here.
The head of Strengthen Social Security, a coalition of 300 groups—including MoveOn—said this today:
If true, President Obama's proposal to cut Social Security benefits represents a betrayal of America's seniors, people with disabilities and their families... Money would be ripped out of the pockets of millions of vulnerable Americans. Women, low-income and very old retirees would be hit hardest.4
He's not alone. Polls clearly show that the American people want the rich to pay their fair share to reduce our deficit, and want Medicare and Social Security protected.5
Yet, a radical minority bent on doling out more tax breaks for the rich while slashing our government beyond recognition has taken over our politics. They've captured the Republicans, and they are trying to run over the Democratic leaders that the majority of Americans elected.
We have to change that. It's time for the reasonable majority to outdo and outflank the radical minority. That starts with your phone call.
The White House: (202) 456-1111Then, please report your call by clicking here.
Thanks for all you do.
–Justin, Adam Q., Elena, Stephen, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "In Debt Talks, Obama Offers Social Security Cuts," The Washington Post, July 6, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=210871&id=28657-10220574-huTdRpx&t=4
2. "Top Obama Economic Aide: Social Security Reform Not A Part Of Discussion On Fiscal Future," Huffington Post, February 22, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=210876&id=28657-10220574-huTdRpx&t=5
3. "Remarks by the President in State of Union Address," The White House, January 25, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=210877&id=28657-10220574-huTdRpx&t=6
4. "Reports of Obama Plan to Cut Social Security, if True, Represent a Betrayal to America's Seniors and Families, Charges Leader of Coalition Representing 300 Organizations," Strengthen Social Security, July 7, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=210880&id=28657-10220574-huTdRpx&t=7
4. "Poll: To Reduce Deficit, Most Americans Say Tax The Rich More", CBS News, January 3, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=210872&id=28657-10220574-huTdRpx&t=8
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.
