FEDERAL:

The Healthcare Fiasco

TrumpRyanGOPCare has revealed that the Republicans are devoid of credible ideas on health care. Attacked on the right and the left, Trump is looking for a quick legislative victory even though this bill would end up hurting his base more than anyone else. A victory for Trump and Ryan is a significant loss for working class Americans.

Rep. Mark Walker heads a very conservative group, and is undecided now. He would like to see the bill strip away as many vestiges of the ACA, and tilt it even more free market. Walker’s potential plan dangerous and reckless. He needs to tell his constituents exactly how his plan would protect working-class people while keeping costs affordable. Demand more than platitudes: we need concrete details and numbers.

SCRIPT:

Hello, I am a constituent in zip code ________ and I calling to urge Rep. Walker to reject any health care bill that does not have concrete ways to provide affordable health coverage for all Americans. Any bill even close to the one now before Congress is unacceptable. Thank you for recording my call.

Burr & Tillis

Our Senators may be betting that they can support this bill, but that it will fail and they can have it both ways: avoid responsibility for any health catastrophe and still please their master, Donald Trump. We must demand that they reveal details of how their plans would actually improve upon the ACA. So far, GOP plans aid the wealthy and leave working-class people vulnerable to higher costs or even no coverage at all.

SCRIPT:

Hello, I am a constituent in zip code _____ and I am calling to urge Senator ___________ to oppose the GOP replacement for the ACA. This plan covers fewer people by severely cutting Medicaid, costs more for everyday citizens, and needlessly targets Planned Parenthood. Please urge Sen. ____________ to work on changes to existing health law. Thank you for recording my call.

 

OPPOSE SONNY PERDUE FOR SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

Ethics Questions Dogged Agriculture Nominee as Georgia Governor

How Perdue’s power benefits his friends

Script: Hi. I’m from _____ and calling to oppose Sonny Perdue for Secretary of Agriculture. His history of using his role as governor of Georgia to benefit his own business has no place in America’s leadership. How does Sen. _______ intend to vote on Perdue?

STATE:

HB 249 Economic Terrorism Bill

The hyperbolic “Economic Terrorism” bill, filed by John Torbett and John Faircloth, Republicans of Gaston and Guilford counties, respectively, is another is a set of bills popping up in state houses across the country that seek to suppress the actions of protesters. The intent of this bill seems to be to intimidate protesters, and to rouse public opinion against protests in general. Most of the provisions of the bill simply reinforce what is already statute, but there is one new section concerning blocking streets during “unlawful protests.” A new category, “economic terrorism,” would be added to the list of outlawed, felony-class acts of terror already proscribed by the state. Really this is just a ridiculous attempt to equate protesting with terrorism. Most of this bill is probably unenforceable, and possibly unconstitutional, but it sends a terrible message about the first amendment. Since the narrative painted by many on the right is that today’s town hall protesters and women’s marchers are angry mobs of potentially violent people paid by George Soros, we would do well to get permits when necessary and to follow common sense when enacting protests. However, the rights of speech and assembly should never be taken lightly. Perhaps this bill should be renamed “The Anti-First Amendment Act.”

SCRIPT:

Hello, I am a constituent in zip code _____________ and I am calling to urge Sen./Rep. _____________ to reject HB 249. This bill equates protesters with terrorists, is an attack on the first amendment, and seeks to suppress and intimidate protesters. Please reject this bill. Thank you.

 

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

Tell your climate story.

Stories change minds. Our Climate Voices is seeking first-person narratives about how climate change impacts your local community to be shared in their newsletter and website. If climate change affects you where you live, consider telling your story.

Email: ourclimatevoices@gmail.com.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

NAACP Randolph County Showing of SELMA – This Thursday March 16th at 7:00PM at Greater St. John Baptist Church 819 MLK Dr. Asheboro, NC.

RCDP Volunteer Appreciation Potluck – Tuesday March 21 at The Exchange. See link for details.