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PEG 6th Congressional District Newsletter 363
Saturday, April 6, 2024
What Should Democrats Do About their Messaging? (You Probably Will Be Shocked) CLICK GRAPHIC FOR AUDIO
Click here to dive into the art of impactful messaging with election forecaster and political strategist Rachel Bitecofer’s Point of Disorder. In a world dominated by sound bites and shrinking attention spans, she shows us how to get our point across. This podcast is for adults only, so be prepared to be shocked and informed.
The podcast will start by dishing the dirt on that state rep who became a national joke overnight. Yep, the one who cried “invasion” over NCAA basketball players, turning the spotlight into a glare of notoriety.
Get ready to learn how to keep words tasty and the message meaty, without overcooking it and ending up roasted on the public stage.
Planet on Fire: Biden’s vs.Trump’s Stewardship of our Nation
Four environmental organizations—the Sierra Club, Leagues of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action fund, NextGen PAC, and NRDC Action Fund—have taken the unprecedented step of jointly endorsing a presidential candidate: Joe Biden. Said Ben Jealous, National Executive Director of the Sierra Club, “no other administration has done more to move us forward in the fight to protect our environment.” Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which the Center for American Progress calls “the most consequential climate legislation in history,” is his signature legislation. He also enacted the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which increases the regulatory powers of the EPA, as well as gives it the funding with which to strengthen our water infrastructure and clean up our nation.
Trump, whose battle cry has always been “drill, baby, drill,” has pledged to reverse Biden’s environmental policies. If reelected, Trump plans to “offer tax breaks to oil, gas, and coal producers; repeal federal subsidies for solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects; and roll back Biden’s efforts to encourage the use of electric vehicles.” In addition to once again withdrawing the US from the Paris Accord, Trump will take aim at Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act with its support for clean energy and electric vehicles. He would also force the EPA to withdraw its strictures on all kinds of pollution.“The reelection of Trump would be, in a word, horrific,” warns Andrew Rosenberg, a former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration official.
Events and GOTV (Getting Out the Vote)
#VoteReady
Saturday, April 6. WCDP Democratic Sheriff Candidates’ Panel
WCDP Monthly General Membership Meeting and panel of Democratic candidates for Washtenaw County Sheriff: Alyshia Dyer, Derrick Jackson, and Ken Magee. Washtenaw County residents are invited to send questions for the panel before the meeting to enathans48103@gmail.com. The subject heading should be “Questions for WCDP Democratic Sheriff candidates’ panel.” Those who attend the meeting will also have a chance to ask questions. Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center, 4135 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor or Zoom Link here. 9:30 am—12 pm ET
Wednesdays at 8 pm. America at a Crossroads Virtual Series
- April 10. Ruy Teixeira with Madeleine Brand: “Political Demography – Where Have All the Democrats Gone?” Register here
- April 17. Barbara McQuade with Henry Weinstein: “Attack from Within – How Disinformation is Sabotaging America.” Register here
- April 24. Yaroslav Trofimov with Max Boot “Russia’s War on Ukraine: An Update from Two Leading Journalists.” Register here
Tuesday, April 16. Letters to the Editor Workshop
The PEG newsletter has frequently addressed the issue of media bias, most recently in Issue #356. One means of taking action in this regard is by writing letters to the editor.
Voters Not Politicians is an organization that works to pass legislative reforms that “protect voting rights, strengthen our democracy, and ensure political power remains in the hands of the voters.” In that effort, they are supporting the Michigan Voting Rights Act (MIVRA or Senate Bills 401, 402, 403, and 404), which will defend democracy and protect voters of color and voters with disabilities.The bills include:
- Providing new legal tools to fight discriminatory voting rules in court.
- Expanding language assistance for voters with limited English proficiency
- Ensuring advanced public notice of key voting changes, enabling voters to take action
- Providing important protections and assistance for voters with disabilities
- Establishing a central hub for election information to increase transparency and promote best practices
- Requiring places where a court has found voting discrimination to prove that subsequent voting changes will not harm protected voters before they can go into effect
Action: Attend a Workshop with Voters Not Politicians
VNP is offering a Michigan Voting Rights Amendment Letters to the Editor Workshop on Tuesday, April 16 from 6—7pm ET via Zoom. This session will focus on sharing the benefits of the proposed Michigan VRA legislation, and raising awareness of the MI VRA. Participants will receive a guide to help write and submit letters to their local newspaper, a list of local Michigan outlets that accept LTEs, and a sample letter on the topic. Register here.
Thursdays April 18 and May 16. Become a Gun Violence Community Educator
Train to become a Gun Violence Community Educator! Learn about the four new Michigan gun laws: safe storage of firearms in homes with children; Extreme Risk Protection Orders (who is eligible to file them and how); universal background checks and how to use them; and new protections for domestic violence survivors.
VOTE May 7: Special Election in Ypsilanti
A special vote will be held to consider the recall of Ward 3 Ypsilanti City Council Member Desirae Simmons. No specific grounds are required for recall in Michigan. To get a recall on the ballot in Michigan, recall supporters must collect signatures equal in number to 25% of voters in the jurisdiction that voted in the most recent gubernatorial race. That number was 603 and recall supporters gathered 606 signatures.
Visit the PEG Events Page for more upcoming events at www.equalityingov.org/events!
More things to do, read, watch and listen to
New PEG Section!
We have new recurring segment in the PEG Newsletter leading up to the Presidential Election on November 5, 2024. Inspired by Alabama’s Supreme Court Ruling, the new section is called “This vs. That,” where we analyze and compare the notable distinctions between the two potential candidates. This is for all those “lesser of two evil” folks out there so please SHARE if you know anyone who might benefit from these scenarios.
For example, we might focus on language. Specifically, how do the candidates address each other and their supporters?
- Biden: Refers to his Republican Opponent and their Allies
- Former MAGA Republican: Labels Joe Biden as Crooked Joe, Sleepy Joe, and his “very bad fascists.”
Today’s This vs. That sections are Easter Messaging AND a special Planet on Fire shared earlier in the newsletter
Trump
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL, INCLUDING CROOKED AND CORRUPT PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES THAT ARE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO INTERFERE WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2024, AND PUT ME IN PRISON, INCLUDING THOSE MANY PEOPLE THAT I COMPLETELY & TOTALLY DESPISE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DESTROY AMERICA, A NOW FAILING NATION, LIKE “DERANGED” JACK SMITH, WHO IS EVIL AND “SICK…” Read More
Biden
Jill and I send our warmest wishes to Christians around the world celebrating Easter Sunday. Easter reminds us of the power of hope and the promise of Christ’s Resurrection. As we gather with loved ones, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice. We pray for one another and cherish the blessing of the dawn of new possibilities. And with wars and conflict taking a toll on innocent…Read more
Grab your FREE Biden-Harris Sign
Show your support for the Biden-Harris administration with a yard sign. They are available at the local Washtenaw Dems office at 418 West Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti. While supplies last. Pick up Tuesdays, 4-6 pm; Saturdays, 1-3 pm; Sundays, 1-3 pm
Who Is Joe Biden?
By Kayla Conrad, Bryan Watson, Jan Piert of Joy of Framing-Washtenaw
Joe is just like you and me: a regular person. He has always fought for regular Americans—a true champion!
Joe believes in democracy, freedom, justice, and opportunity for everyone.
- Joe is fighting for decency and the lives of everyday Americans.
- Joe is defending our rights, our constitution, and our democracy.
- Joe is creating a better future for us, our parents, our kids, and our grandkids.
- Joe is making sure that we all enjoy the freedoms that define America.
Joe will work with everyone in Congress to make sure that every family has food on the table, a safe place to live, great schools for their kids, and access to quality healthcare.
You can trust Joe to put us and our country first!
You can trust Joe to be our champion!
Want to learn more about Joe? Want to help? Visit JoeBiden.com
Good News
Whitmer Provides Incentives to Start or Finish Degrees; Michiganders Exceeded Expectations
“A talented and skilled workforce helps build a strong economy and puts Michigan on the map as a place for opportunity,” Governor Whitmer said.
The State had hoped that 60,000 residents would apply for the Michigan Reconnect program when it launched in 2021, making community college tuition-free for most Michigan residents ages 25 and older. Now, over 70,000 Michiganders have applied.
In 2020 (during the pandemic),120,000 frontline workers applied for another tuition-free program. This could bring the total of adults seeking educational and job opportunities through financial assistance to 190,000.
Other programs to encourage student education is the University of Michigan’s Go Blue Guarantee, which has expanded to the Dearborn and Flint campuses.
Michigan Reconnect has no end-date, and until November 15 it has been expanded to include 21- to 24-year-olds.“I’m proud of the hardworking men and women who have taken the leap to continue their education,” said Whitmer, “and I look forward to ongoing bipartisan work with lawmakers to connect millions of Michiganders to the resources they need to succeed in a good-paying career.”
More Good News from President Joe BidenPromises Made and Promises Kept for Generations to Come
On March 21, President Biden announced that as of that day, his administration is canceling student loan debt for an additional 78,000 public service workers—teachers, nurses, firefighters, and more—through Public Service Loan Forgiveness. “These workers have dedicated their careers to serving their communities, but because of past administrative failures, never got the relief they were entitled to under the law.” To his credit, the President and his team have now canceled student debt for over 870,000 public service workers. This compares to only about 7,000 public service borrowers ever receiving forgiveness prior to the Biden Administration.
He further reported that this, along with prior debt cancellation actions, has enabled nearly 4,000,000 Americans to continue contributing to our country without the overwhelming burden of student loan debt.
Although there have been numerous obstacles to completing his promise to create educational opportunities for all Americans, President Biden has stayed the course and set a pathway for success for a significant number of our citizens.
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