Impact of poverty, current root cause of inflation, summer bootcamp for Gen Z, 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:
- THE IMPACT OF POVERTYRogan’s List supported the debt deal reluctantly as the best possible outcome under the circumstances. Much of that reluctance was because the deal will hurt people with student loans and people who rely on food stamps, and could result in job losses. It’s important to be educated about the impact of financial insecurity on people’s lives so we can be better advocates for policies that address poverty and the suffering it causes. Let’s learn: we can read this first-person account of being poor; this article about the ways that the wealthy misunderstand the poor; and these fact sheets from the Poor People’s Campaign. And let’s resolve to hold our elected officials accountable for legislating and implementing anti-poverty laws and policies. We can start by asking our Members of Congress to co-sponsor these bills.
- TELL THE WHITE HOUSE TO PREPARE PLAN B ON STUDENT DEBT RELIEF
With the Supreme Court set to rule on the White House’s program for forgiving the student debts of more than 40 million American borrowers any day now, progressive lawmakers are pushing the Biden Administration to prepare an alternative plan to cancel student debt if the Republican justices strike it down. Recent polling has found 62% of the public is broadly in favor of relieving at least some student debt, and the Supreme Court reversing this decision without a backup would be a financial blow to countless households. Let’s join the calls to President Biden and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to prepare a Plan B if the Supreme Court rules against us, and encourage our members of Congress to do the same.
- INFLATION—RAISING INTEREST RATES IS NOT ENOUGHFormer U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich reports that what’s driving inflation now is not an overheated economy, but big corporations raising prices—not to cover their costs, but to increase their profits. Under these circumstances, Reich argues, it makes no sense to try to tame inflation by raising interest rates, because that’s not what the problem is—and doing so hurts workers and consumers. Reich recommends legislation that would (1) bust up monopolies, (2) fine corporations that price-gouge, and (3) impose a corporate windfall profits tax. This, Reich says, should be a major campaign issue for 2024, with Democrats asking the public: Do you want more jobs and higher wages, or do you want large corporations making fatter profits by raising prices? Let’s read Reich’s blog post, and let’s urge our Democratic Members of Congress to file the legislation he describes.
- ASK GOP MOCS TO RECOGNIZE RULE OF LAW AND TO CAUTION THEIR SUPPORTERS AGAINST VIOLENCEWith today’s arraignment, sadly, but not surprisingly, many GOP congress members are rallying to Trump’s defense and blaming Biden and the Democrats (rather than the grand jury who voted for it) for Trump’s indictment, and disregarding the overwhelming evidence suggesting that crimes were likely to have been committed. Even more disturbing are statements like the tweet from Rep. Andy Biggs, who said, “We have now reached a war phase. Eye for an eye.” While our American justice system hinges on the notion of innocence until proven guilty, incitements to violence, which are already fomenting among the nation’s far right, do not need encouragement from our government. If we have Republican MoCs, let’s tell them we want them to let the rule of law take its course, to stop making statements that put the lives of their constituents in danger, and warn their supporters against violent acts of so-called retribution.
- SUMMER BOOTCAMP FOR GEN Z ORGANIZERSIf we are, or know any, Gen Z activists looking to improve skills and connect with a national organizing network, Voters of Tomorrow has an exciting opportunity just for us. With volunteers in all 50 states, Voters for Tomorrow works to get voters ages 17-29 to the polls. They were very active in the last election, contacting their target voters over six million times. Now they’re looking to pass on organizing skills to Gen Z activists looking for the next step with a Summer Bootcamp, where we can learn to organize, advocate, and build successful partnerships to create effective change in our communities. The sessions run for six weeks from mid-July through mid-August, with a one-hour long session each week. We can find out more about the Voters of Tomorrow Summer 2023 Bootcamp and then, if we like, apply here or share this information with any Gen Z activists we think might be interested.
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
- NC – OPPOSE ATTACKS ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Public education in North Carolina is under assault, with the GOP supermajority pushing forward efforts to expand school vouchers and the privatization of public education in stand-alone bills and the upcoming state budget. Governor Roy Cooper is rallying the public to fight back, pushing for public school teacher pay hikes instead of public money going to private schools. Let’s contact our legislators and tell them we agree with Governor Cooper and want them to oppose attacks on public schools.