Last chance to protect asylum seekers, learn about ChatGPT, multiple ways to win Wisconsin, and more!
Contact all members of Congress:
- By phone: (202) 224-3121
- By email: democracy.io
- By US mail: Representatives / Senators
- By fax: Representatives / Senators
- By Resistbot: Resist.bot
Contact White House or other federal agencies:
- LAST CHANCE TO OPPOSE THE RETURN OF TRUMP-ERA POLICIES AT THE BORDER
The comment period for the proposed Biden asylum limits closes TODAY. Their new rule would make it much harder for migrants crossing the border to get asylum if they do not request it in Mexico first, in a clear echo of the Trump-era policies President Biden condemned as a candidate. Let’s take this last opportunity to submit comments to the Federal Register in opposition to this policy, using some of the talking points available from immigration advocates here. - STOP THE REPUBLICAN DIRTY ENERGY BILL
Remember when Democrats controlled the House and they filed a bill numbered HR1—a sweeping pro-democracy, anti-corruption measure called the For the People Act? Well, the Republicans now in charge of the House have their own bill they’re calling HR1. But this one is a sweeping package promoting the production of greenhouse gas-emitting oil and gas projects and a rollback of decades of environment protections. Called the Lower Energy Costs Act, it is opposed by environmental groups like the Sierra Club. Let’s tell our Members of Congress to read the dire new UN Climate Change report—we can send them this link, https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/ —and tell them that we oppose their unconscionable HR1 bill.
- LEARN ABOUT CHATGPT
We’ve heard about ChatGPT, that new chatbot that “is designed to understand and generate human-like text.” The University of Michigan has put together a free ChatGPT Teach-Out to introduce people to this new interface. This short course will help us “better understand the ethical use of artificial intelligence, the implications of authorship, and how tools like ChatGPT might be utilized and regulated moving forward.” This four-hour Teach Out will be available until April 3. With this now being used in politics, let’s sign up here to learn more about it.
- GET OUT THE VOTE IN WISCONSIN AND MORE
We’re now just eight days away from Election Day for a swing seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, a race that could determine the future of the right to choose in Wisconsin and the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. Early voting is underway. Let’s do what we can to help them get out the vote for Judge Janet Protasiewicz, whether by a) phonebanking with the Wisconsin Democrats or Grassroots Dems HQ, b) texting with the Working Families Party or NextGen America, c) chipping in to help Judge Janet get her message out or d) just making sure everyone in Wisconsin who wants one has requested an absentee ballot. We can also ensure we get crucial votes from college students counted by joining the Campus Vote Project, the League of Women Voters and Common Cause and signing up to monitor polling locations on college campuses.
- FIGHT VACCINE PRICE-GOUGING
Despite the fact that Moderna made more than $20 billion in profits on its Covid vaccine over the past two years, and the fact that the federal government contributed billions of dollars toward the vaccine’s development, Stephane Bancel, the Moderna CEO whose personal wealth is about $4.7 billion, insisted Wednesday in his appearance before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions that Moderna will raise its prices to around $130 per dose for the vaccine in the U.S. They are not alone; Pfizer has likewise announced a price increase. This price hike will all but ensure that the vaccine will be unaffordable for many. We should tell Bancel (stephane.bancel@modernatx.com) and Moderna (200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139 United States) what we think of this kind of corporate greed.
CORRECTIONS AND UPDATES
The link to Black Voters Matter’s social media toolkit for the Sick and Tired Initiative in Friday’s List was incorrect, and has been updated below. Thanks to our readers for keeping us honest!
- AL, FL, GA, KS, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, WI, and WV – MEDICAID EXPANSION
Black Voters Matter (BVM) has launched the Sick and Tired Initiative, which focuses on “mobilizing Black voters, young people, grassroot organizers and policymakers around the need for Medicaid expansion and more access to equitable and affordable healthcare for Black and rural communities,” (https://tinyurl.com/3vc4jvsy). This is being done through a week of action, where BVM is providing the necessary tools for us to advocate for healthcare access. Let’s check to see if our state is among the eleven that have not yet expanded Medicaid, and if it is, call our legislators to tell them we want them to support Medicaid expansion. Then, let’s check out BVM’s Social Media Toolkit, where posts have already been provided for us to post on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to help educate and advocate in our communities. We can also check out more ways to get involved, including on-the-ground action, at the Sick and Tired website.