Monday, November 30, 2009

This is it

The Senate starts debate on health care today. Contribute to our urgent campaign for real reform right now, and your donation will be doubled by another MoveOn member. We need to raise $125,000 by this afternoon—can you chip in $5?

Click Here

Dear MoveOn member,

Imagine waking up one January morning and reading this headline:

"Obama's health care plan dies in Congress"

I don't want to feel like I could have done more. Do you?

We're already running our biggest campaign since the election. Now we need your help to go even bigger. If you donate today, another MoveOn member will match your donation—whatever you can give will be doubled!

To raise $125,000 today, we need 3 people in Inwood to contribute. Your donation of $5 will become $10. Double your impact by making a matched donation today.

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/health_match_non.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=18092-10220574-MrycsRx&t=3

In this crucial moment, we're dramatically expanding our work. We're running a million-dollar ad campaign in target states, mobilizing intense local efforts to push conservative Democrats, and gearing up for a massive day of action next week. And that's just part of it.

Today, the Senate is starting a historic debate on a health care reform bill—it's far from perfect, but against all odds, it does include a public option!

Conservatives are escalating their attacks. Led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, opponents spent $24 million on ads opposing health care reform in just the past month.2

We have to win this. And we can. We've got millions of Americans on our side. And like we've seen time and time again in this fight, when regular Americans mobilize, the results are powerful.

Your contribution today will be matched by another MoveOn member. Please chip in $5. Just click the link below:

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/health_match_non.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=18092-10220574-MrycsRx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Noah, Kat, Ilyse, and the rest of the team

Source:
1. "Business foes of health care revamp ramp up effort," Associated Press, November 17, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85250&id=18092-10220574-MrycsRx&t=5


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.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 30, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Vigil for health care in Inwood

As we enter the final weeks of the health care fight, conservatives are determined to derail reform with delays. But America can't afford to wait for health care reform. So on December 8th, we're organizing "Cost of Delay" vigils to urge Congress to act. Can you host a vigil in Inwood?

Host a vigil
Dear MoveOn member,

We are so close.

With the Senate poised to start debating its health care bill next week, there's serious momentum behind passing real reform.

But as we enter the home stretch, conservatives are reviving their favorite strategy: trying to delay reform until it's derailed entirely.1

So on December 8th, we're holding our biggest ever health care day of action, organizing hundreds of "Cost of Delay" vigils across the country to remind Congress that Americans simply can't afford to wait for health care reform.

We don't have a vigil in your area yet—can you sign up to host one on December 8th? With the biggest votes of the year just around the corner, this could be our last chance before our senators vote to make sure they hear that voters demand real reform.

Click here to get started:

http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/create.html?action_id=198&id=18065-10220574-KP4anix&t=3

December 8th will be a huge moment for health reform in this country. Along with hundreds of vigils, we're planning a massive online drive to amplify the vigils with hundreds of thousands of emails, faxes, calls, and other messages to Congress.

And it needs to be big. As we get closer to the big vote, opponents are ramping up their obstructionist tactics. Last week, Republican Senator Orrin Hatch declared a "holy war" on health care, and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made clear the GOP's goal is to drag out debate as long as possible. And unfortunately, some conservative Democrats seem content to play right into their hands.2

On December 8th, we'll remind Congress that Americans want and need real reform this year. Delay is not an option for the 2,500 people going bankrupt per day because of medical costs, the 14,000 losing their health insurance daily, or the millions with no coverage at all.3

We're calling these "Cost of Delay" vigils. At the events, we'll hear from members of the community with personal stories about why they need health care reform, and call on senators to move quickly to pass legislation.

Hosting a vigil is easy. All you need to do is find a nearby congressional office or other public location for people to gather, invite friends, and tell the local media about the event. We'll help you recruit attendees and give you the materials and training you need to hold a great event.

We need as many vigils as possible around the country so that tens of thousands of MoveOn members have the chance to speak out right in their neighborhoods. Can you host a vigil in Inwood? Click here:

http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/create.html?action_id=198&id=18065-10220574-KP4anix&t=4

Thanks for all that you do.

–Kat, Laura, Ilya, Joan, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Orrin Hatch Says Health Care Vote Will Start 'Holy War,'" CBS News, November 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85295&id=18065-10220574-KP4anix&t=5

"McConnell: GOP Will Delay Health Care At Least Six More Weeks," The Huffington Post, November 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85294&id=18065-10220574-KP4anix&t=6

"GOP Launches Strategy to Trip Up Health Bill," Roll Call, October 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85301&id=18065-10220574-KP4anix&t=7

2. Ibid

"Ben Nelson: I'd Vote No On Cloture," Talking Points Memo, November, November 23, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85296&id=18065-10220574-KP4anix&t=8

"Lincoln: 'I'll Filibuster a Public Option Bill,'" Talking Points Memo, November 21, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85297&id=18065-10220574-KP4anix&t=9

3. "Medical bills prompt more than 60 percent of U.S. bankruptcies," CNN, June 5, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51735&id=18065-10220574-KP4anix&t=10

"Health Care in Crisis: 14,000 Losing Coverage Each Day," Center for American Progress Action Fund, February 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51653&id=18065-10220574-KP4anix&t=11

"Census Bureau Finds the Number of Uninsured Grew to 46.3 Million in 2008," Families USA, September 10, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85300&id=18065-10220574-KP4anix&t=12

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.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 25, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Poison pill in the clean energy bill?

Can you call Sen. Schumer? Tell him: "Please sign the Menendez letter opposing any loopholes for old and dirty power plants in the Senate energy bill."  

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542


Report your call
Dear MoveOn member,

When President Obama proposed his clean energy plan, some Big Oil and Coal lobbyists decided they would try to load up the bill with bad provisions rather than trying to kill it altogether.1

Their worst "poison pill" amendment would repeal a key part of the Clean Air Act, allowing the oldest and dirtiest power plants to keep running for decades. This would crowd out the market for wind and solar power and make it virtually impossible to solve global warming.2

We have to keep these unacceptable poison pills out of President Obama's clean energy bill.

Call Senator Charles Schumer and urge him to sign the Menendez letter opposing loopholes for old and dirty power plants in the Senate energy bill.

Here's where to call:

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1&cp_id=1192&id=18055-10220574-ShlPA8x&t=3

A small number of polluters—including coal power plants—emit more than half of the global warming pollution in the U.S.3

That's because weak enforcement has allowed the oldest, dirtiest power plants to keep running years after they should have been replaced.4

President Obama has begun to crack down, but Big Oil and Coal lobbyists are trying to shoehorn Clean Air Act loopholes into the clean energy bill so they don't have to clean up.5

If they succeed, the shift to clean energy could be delayed for another generation or longer, making it virtually impossible to solve global warming.

Call Senator Charles Schumer today and urge him to sign the Menendez letter opposing any loopholes for old and dirty power plants in the energy bill.

Here's where to call:

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1&cp_id=1192&id=18055-10220574-ShlPA8x&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–-Steven, Ilyse, Anna, Adam, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Climate Change—We Need a Different Approach," U.S. Chamber of Commerce, November 3, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85298&id=18055-10220574-ShlPA8x&t=5

2. "Why we need EPA GHG regulatory authority," Matthew F. Pawa, Esq., July 2, 2009 [PDF]
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51620&id=18055-10220574-ShlPA8x&t=6

3. "Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2007," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, April, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51669&id=18055-10220574-ShlPA8x&t=7

4. "Dirty Kilowatts," Environmental Integrity Project, July 26, 2007
http://www.dirtykilowatts.org/

5. "E.P.A. Moves to Curtail Greenhouse Gas Emissions," The New York Times, September 30, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85299&id=18055-10220574-ShlPA8x&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.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 24, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, November 23, 2009

A turning point for Obama

If we lose the health care fight, Democrats will grow timid. If we win, we could see seven more years of progressive victories under President Obama. We can put together a campaign to win this fight, but to ramp it up, we need to raise $250,000 in the next 48 hours. That'll take 3 contributions from Inwood. Can you chip in $20 today?

Click Here

Dear MoveOn member,

We can't afford to lose the health care fight. Too many people suffer the real human cost of the status quo. And right now we're closer than we've been in decades to meaningful change that will benefit millions of Americans.

But we could still lose this fight. And if we do, we won't get another chance: Democrats will conclude that bold, progressive initiatives are too risky. President Obama will be forced to scale his agenda way back. And the Sarah Palin/Glenn Beck wing of the Republican Party will be on the rise headed into the 2010 and 2012 elections.

On the other hand, if we win historic health care reform there'll be historic momentum for all of Obama's progressive agenda—jobs, clean energy, education, civil rights, workers' rights, and more—and good odds for his re-election. Meanwhile, right-wing teabaggers and corporate lobbyists will be left demoralized and in disarray.

The next few weeks will determine whether we face a dream or a nightmare. Can you contribute, right now, to make sure that nightmare never comes to pass? We've calculated we need to raise at least $250,000 in the next 48 hours to double down for health care reform. That'll take at least 3 donations from Inwood—can you chip in $20?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/double.html?bg_id=hpc0&id=18043-10220574-h6Jy4Yx&t=3

The fight for real health care reform with a public option is one of the most important we've ever taken on together.

And we've gotten further than most politicians and pundits ever thought possible: for all its flaws, the legislation now on the Senate floor includes a version of the public option.

But now our opponents are getting desperate: Right-wing business interests spent $24 million dollars last month on TV ads alone.1

We're ready to take them on. On top of everything we're already doing, in the next few weeks, we're planning to: 

  • go toe-to-toe with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, challenging their misleading tactics and putting them on defense for their extremist positions;
  • combine on-the-ground media events with tough new TV ads that'll show wavering senators that they'll face political trouble back home if they vote against reform; and
  • pair polling with advertising to reinforce the idea that representatives who voted to defeat health care in the House need to worry about the consequences come Election Day.

But the health care campaign has grown so intense we've ramped up to more than twice the level of spending each month that we'd initially planned, and we'll have to scale back unless we can raise at least $250,000 in the next two days. To get there, we'll need 3 people in Inwood to help out. Can you contribute $20 to make sure we win health care reform—and the rest of Obama's progressive agenda?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/double.html?bg_id=hpc0&id=18043-10220574-h6Jy4Yx&t=4

Thank you for all you do.

–Nita, Noah, Adam, Kat, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Business foes of health care revamp ramp up effort," Associated Press, Nov. 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85250&id=18043-10220574-h6Jy4Yx&t=5



PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 23, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, November 20, 2009

How to kill the public option

"We can't afford to delay health care reform with a trigger. The Senate must pass legislation with a national public health insurance option that's available immediately."

Sign the petition
Dear MoveOn member,

The Senate is taking up health care reform tomorrow. But some conservative Democratic Senators are still trying to kill the public health insurance option.

Instead of opposing it outright, they're pushing a sneaky proposal called a "trigger" that could delay it indefinitely—by forcing us to wait for the health care crisis to get even worse before the public option becomes available.

And with critical votes starting tomorrow, these senators are ramping up their efforts to insert a trigger into the bill. We've got to send an overwhelming message right away that the trigger is unacceptable, and show the Senate that voters demand a real public option.

Can you sign the petition?

http://pol.moveon.org/notrigger/?id=18023-10220574-vAtDrvx&t=3

The petition reads: "We can't afford to delay health care reform with a trigger. The Senate must pass legislation with a national public health insurance option that's available immediately."

Thanks to grassroots pressure from progressives across the country, and courageous leadership from a few champions in Congress, we're closer than ever to winning reform with a public option.

Though the Senate legislation has some real problems, it does include a version of the public option. But a handful of conservative Democrats are threatening to join a Republican filibuster and block an up-or-down vote unless it's replaced with a trigger.1

So today we're launching this petition and airing a new TV ad to demonstrate that the trigger is an awful idea:

  • Our health care system is in crisis now. A trigger could unnecessarily delay a public health insurance option for years—or kill it entirely by delaying it indefinitely. Thousands of families in New York lack insurance coverage2 and they can't afford to wait for the increased competition and lower costs a public option would deliver.3
  • Insurance companies are masters at gaming the system—we've all seen how they avoid paying out claims and covering people who are sick. If they know what criteria would trigger the creation of a public option, they'll do just enough to avoid the trigger, without changing the way they do business.
  • Congress has tried to implement triggers and other "fallback" options in health care legislation before, and they've consistently failed. As one study put it, "History teaches us that trigger mechanisms are difficult to implement, too narrow in their focus, and can too easily be reversed if the political landscape changes."4
We've got to let our senators know that the trigger is unacceptable. Click here to sign the petition:

http://pol.moveon.org/notrigger/?id=18023-10220574-vAtDrvx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Carrie, Kat, Michael, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Trigger Happy," Time, November 18, 2009
http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/11/18/trigger-happy/

2. "One-Two Punch: Unemployed and Uninsured," Families USA, October 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85185&id=18023-10220574-vAtDrvx&t=5

3. "The House Public Plan: Yes, It's Worth It," The New Republic, November 5, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85187&id=18023-10220574-vAtDrvx&t=6

4. "Trigger Unhappy: What Experience Can Teach Us About Why We Should Not Delay the Implementation of Public Plan Choice," Timothy Stoltzfus Jost
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85188&id=18023-10220574-vAtDrvx&t=7

"Trigger Unhappy," The New Republic, October 22, 2009
http://www.tnr.com/blog/the-treatment/trigger-happy

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.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 20, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Pill bottles for change

The Senate's health care reform bill was just released, and the first vote is in less than 48 hours. Can you drop a message of support off at Sen. 's office in New York to keep the momentum for reform going? Click here to get the address and all the details.

Click Here
Dear MoveOn member,

Health care reform isn't abstract for me. After fighting insurance giant CIGNA for years over treatment for my brain tumor, I follow the news from Washington really closely. And today, Senator Harry Reid unveiled the Senate's bill, which could be voted on as soon as Saturday.

It's going to be an uphill battle. And every vote counts—right now, just one senator could doom reform by voting wrong.

We cannot let that happen. This is too important. This bill contains too many compromises, and I'm going to keep working to strengthen it. But the biggest danger right now is having this bill stall on Saturday. Too many of us cannot afford to wait one minute longer for reform. Our lives depend on it.

Last month, MoveOn members across the country sent me messages in pill bottles for my visit to CIGNA's headquarters. Sen. is a strong supporter of the public option, and in this critical moment, needs to know thousands of us have back and are counting on to keep fighting. Can you stop by Sen. 's office in New York to deliver a message supporting health care reform—in an empty pill bottle, if you have one?

Get the address and all the details by clicking here:

Yes, I'll drop a message off at Sen. 's office

No, but I'd like MoveOn to fax my senators a personalized message for me

If you don't have an empty pill bottle, you can print out a flyer instead, add your personal message, and deliver that. The key thing is that every single senator hears, loud and clear, that we cannot afford to wait any longer for health care reform.

With 14,000 Americans losing health insurance every day, and thousands who have insurance—like me—unable to get the treatment they need, we can't let up the pressure on Congress one bit. When I visited lawmakers in Washington on my way to CIGNA's headquarters, it was the messages people had shared with me in pill bottles that made the biggest impact. So now, when we need to get through to every senator, this is the perfect way to do it.

There's still a ton of work to be done to make sure the final bill has a strong public option, covers as many people as possible, and gives folks the help they need to afford insurance. But in these next few days, the biggest threat is that we could lose all the momentum we've gained since the House passed its bill.

We simply cannot let that happen. So can you drop by Sen. 's office in New York today or tomorrow?

Yes, I can drop by Sen. 's office

No, but I'd like MoveOn to fax my senators a personalized message for me

Thanks for all you do.

–Dawn Smith

 

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.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 19, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

A huge step back

The House health care bill came at a big price—the biggest blow to a women's right to choose in years. Congress needs to know the "Stupak amendment" cannot be in the final health care bill. Can you write a letter to the editor of your local paper today?

Write a letter
Dear MoveOn member,

When the House health care bill passed last Saturday, it came at a big, big price.

Conservatives forced a dangerous anti-choice amendment to the bill. The "Stupak amendment" makes insurance coverage for abortion virtually unavailable for millions of women purchasing insurance plans through the newly created health insurance exchange, even if they're using their own money to buy coverage.1

The is a huge shift in U.S. policy. Senator Kristen Gillibrand notes it would "dramatically limit reproductive health care." Representative Dianne DeGette calls it "the biggest expansion of restrictions on a woman's right to choose...in my career."2

Anti-choice forces won in the House through late-night, back-room negotiations. Now we have to fight back and get the truth out there so Congress hears loud and clear that this is simply unacceptable—and that Americans are going to fight hard to keep this provision out of the final health care bill.

Can you write a letter to the editor today urging Congress to keep the anti-choice "Stupak amendment" out of the final health care bill?

Click here to get started:

http://pol.moveon.org/lte?campaign_id=121&id=17986-10220574-TtZvINx&t=3

Our tool makes writing a letter really simple. You can send the letter right from our website—it only takes a few minutes.

Members of Congress pay close attention to the letters' page of the paper, and with them heading home for Thanksgiving break soon, they'll be reading them even more closely. And with the health care fight in its final weeks, if you've never written a letter to the editor before, now's definitely the time to write your first. 

The "Stupak amendment" would impact women who purchase insurance in the newly-created health insurance exchange, a marketplace available to the uninsured and self-employed, and to some small businesses. Under House legislation, approximately 30 million Americans would participate in the insurance exchange.3

Here are some points you can include in your letter: 

  • Conservatives shouldn't be hijacking health care to legislate on reproductive rights. We need to focus on health care, and the millions of Americans who need real reform, and leave abortion where it ought to be—a private decision between a woman and her doctor.

  • The amendment would be a major shift in U.S. policy. It doesn't just extend the status quo, which says no federal funds can cover abortion. It would make insurance coverage for abortion virtually unavailable for millions of women in the new health insurance exchange, even if paid for with their own money.4 It's discriminatory and just plain wrong.

  • Health care reform will expand access to quality, affordable health care for millions of women. It is absolutely crucial we pass real reform this year. But outlawing coverage for a legal, medical procedure hurts women. And it can't be in the bill.

Click the link below to get started on your letter:

http://pol.moveon.org/lte?campaign_id=121&id=17986-10220574-TtZvINx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Lenore, Nita, Stephen, and the rest of the team

P.S. Our friends at Planned Parenthood are circulating a "Pass Health Reform, Stop Stupak" petition—click here to sign today: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85248&id=17986-10220574-TtZvINx&t=5

P.P.S. If you want to know how your member of Congress voted on the anti-choice Stupak amendment, click here: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll884.xml

Sources:

1. "The Ban on Abortion Coverage," The New York Times, November 9, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85240&id=17986-10220574-TtZvINx&t=6

"How The Stupak Amendment Changes The Status Quo," Think Progress, November 11, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85238&id=17986-10220574-TtZvINx&t=7

"Impact of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment on Access to Abortion Coverage and Health Care," Planned Parenthood
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85243&id=17986-10220574-TtZvINx&t=8

2. "NYC Women Unite Against Stupak-Pitts Amendment," The Huffington Post, November 17, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85237&id=17986-10220574-TtZvINx&t=9

"Interview: DeGette On Abortion In The Health Reform Debate," Atlantic Politics, November 17, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85236&id=17986-10220574-TtZvINx&t=10

3. "Health Insurance Exchange: The Fine Print," The New York Times, August 20, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85241&id=17986-10220574-TtZvINx&t=11

Congressional Budget Office letter to Rep. Charles Rangel, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, October 29, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85242&id=17986-10220574-TtZvINx&t=12

4. "The Ban on Abortion Coverage," The New York Times, November 9, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85240&id=17986-10220574-TtZvINx&t=13

"The Far Reach of Stupak's Amendment," Think Progress, November 10, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85239&id=17986-10220574-TtZvINx&t=14

"The Far Reach Of Stupak's Amendment, Part II," Think Progress, November 17, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85244&id=17986-10220574-TtZvINx&t=15

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.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 18, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Rape and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Clicking here will sign your name:
"Defense contractors routinely force their employees to give up their legal rights to press charges if they are sexually assaulted on the job. I urge the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to stop lobbying in favor of this terrible practice."


Sign the petition
Dear MoveOn member,

In 2005, Jamie Leigh Jones was working for a private contractor in Iraq when she was brutally gang-raped by coworkers.1 Four years later, Jamie is still being denied justice.

Jamie can't file U.S. criminal charges because the rape took place overseas, and a fine-print clause in her contract takes away her right to file a lawsuit in the U.S.2

Why? Because big corporations, led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have worked for years to prevent workers from suing their employers in almost any circumstance, even sexual assault.3

The good news is that a bipartisan group in Congress is working to protect the rights of rape victims like Jamie. But, shockingly, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is fighting it.

They sent a letter to Congress saying that it would "set a dangerous precedent" to allow rape victims into court.4 The worst news? The Chamber has enough clout to tie up the bill for years, unless we fight back.

Clicking here will add your name to our petition telling the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to stop opposing the rights of rape victims:

http://pol.moveon.org/chamber/rape/o.pl?id=17974-10220574-n8BDU5x&t=4

Then, forward this petition to your friends so we can keep it going.

Jamie Leigh Jones is not alone. Mary Beth Kineston was a truck driver with a private contractor in Iraq when she was sexually assaulted by one coworker and groped by another. When Mary Beth complained to her supervisors, she was fired. Like Jamie, Mary Beth was blocked from bringing charges in U.S. court.5

Workers who are sexually assaulted while working for defense contractors overseas typically have few options. They can't bring charges in the country where the crime was committed, and they are blocked from U.S. courts as well. Their only option is to go before a secretive, private panel where the process is heavily biased in favor of corporations.6

Jamie has teamed up with organizations like the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Public Citizen, and others to end this injustice. Congress is considering an amendment to do just that, but they've run into a massive lobbying campaign led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber says it will "set a dangerous precedent" to allow these sexual assault victims to bring their cases to court.

Clicking here will add your name to our petition telling the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to stop opposing the rights of rape victims:

http://pol.moveon.org/chamber/rape/o.pl?id=17974-10220574-n8BDU5x&t=5

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Nita, Noah, Anna, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Testimony of Jamie Leigh Jones to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security," December 19, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85228&id=17974-10220574-n8BDU5x&t=6 [PDF] 

"Testimony of Jamie Leigh Jones to the House Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions," February 12, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85227&id=17974-10220574-n8BDU5x&t=7 [video]

2. "Naked, Sore, Bruised, and Bleeding: Alleged U.S. Contractor Rape Victim Fights for her Day in Court," ABC News, October 7, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85229&id=17974-10220574-n8BDU5x&t=9

3. "Chamber Research Flawed; Empirical Studies Prove That Arbitration Harms Consumers," Public Citizen, July 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85231&id=17974-10220574-n8BDU5x&t=10

"Letter in opposition to H.R. 3010, the 'Arbitration Fairness Act,' sent to House Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law," U.S. Chamber of Commerce, October 24, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85233&id=17974-10220574-n8BDU5x&t=11

4. Letter Opposing the Jamie Leigh Jones Amendment, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, et al., October 6, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85226&id=17974-10220574-n8BDU5x&t=12

5. "Limbo for U.S. Women Reporting Iraq Assaults," The New York Times, February 13, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85225&id=17974-10220574-n8BDU5x&t=13

6. "Mandatory Arbitration Clauses: Undermining the Rights of Consumers, Employees, and Small Businesses," Fair Arbitration Now, January 1, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85230&id=17974-10220574-n8BDU5x&t=14

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.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 17, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

23 Democrats

23 Democrats voted to restrict a woman's right to choose and against health care. But Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy, an Ohio Democrat in an ultra-competitive race, voted for reproductive choice and for health care reform, despite Republican attacks. We're raising $150,000 for her and other health care heroes, and to get there we need 3 contributions from Inwood. Can you chip in $20?

Click here

Dear MoveOn member,

Saturday night was bittersweet. The House passed sweeping health care reform—but included a severe anti-choice provision in the bill.

23 Democrats voted wrong on both counts, first voting to restrict a woman's right to choose, then siding with Big Insurance to vote against a health care bill they had just succeeded in weakening.1

On the other hand, there were principled Democrats in tough re-election fights who have been under fire from Republicans and the insurance industry for months. They faced intense pressure—first to vote to limit women's access to reproductive choice and then to vote down health care altogether. 

But they didn't give in—they courageously stood up for women and for all Americans who can't afford to wait for health care.

And now they're facing even harsher attacks for their votes. Mary Jo Kilroy and other health care heroes are about to see some of the nastiest attacks against them yet and they need our support. Together we can show that when Democrats stand up and fight, people will stand up with them. 

We need to raise $150,000 for Kilroy and other health care heroes in the next 48 hours. That'll take 3 donations from folks in Inwood. Can you chip in $20? Click here:

https://pol.moveon.org/give/healthcare_heroes1.html?id=17913-10220574-HFzSrtx&t=3

In response to this week's email, MoveOn members pitched in funds to launch our biggest ad campaign ever holding Democrats accountable, targeting some of the 23 Democrats who voted wrong. Now we need to show that we'll get the backs of those pro-choice Democrats who cast the deciding votes for health care reform.

That includes Reps. Carol Shea-Porter of New Hampshire and John Hall of New York, both of whom voted for health care reform and are in competitive races in swing districts.2

Mary Jo Kilroy's Republican opponent, Steve Stivers, is the same candidate she narrowly defeated last year. His strategy? Hope that "urban" turnout declines without Barack Obama on the ballot.3

A former banking lobbyist,4 Stivers can tap special interests to raise millions for his campaign, but Kilroy, who MoveOn members first supported in 2006, is counting on grassroots support from folks like you. 

"We cannot sit back and accept the status quo," she said in declaring her support for the health care bill.5 Let's help her fight for change. Make your contribution now:

https://pol.moveon.org/give/healthcare_heroes1.html?id=17913-10220574-HFzSrtx&t=4

Thank you.

–Adam, Wes, Marika, Kat, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. Final vote results on passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, November 7, 2009 
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll887.xml
Final vote results on adoption of the Stupak of Michigan Amendment, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, November 7, 2009 
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll884.xml

2. Cook Political Report, Nov. 4, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85149&id=17913-10220574-HFzSrtx&t=5

3. "Ohio Could See Two 2008 Rematches Next Year," Roll Call, May 12, 2009. 
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_129/politics/34812-1.html

4. "Lobbyists make a run for congressional seats," USA Today, Nov. 3, 2008.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85150&id=17913-10220574-HFzSrtx&t=6

5. "Kilroy Announces Support of Affordable Health Care for America Act," Rep. Kilroy's website, Nov. 6, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85151&id=17913-10220574-HFzSrtx&t=7


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 12, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Friday in Brooklyn

 

Take to the streets for
health care!

Come to a rally Friday in Brooklyn

Rally

Where: Rep. Clarke's office (in Brooklyn)

When: Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, at 12:00 PM


What: The House just passed health care reform—and now comes the major challenge: getting real reform passed through the Senate. At this rally, we'll kick off a massive organizing drive to push the Senate to pass health care this year with a strong public option.

Can you make it to the rally?

Click here for more details and to RSVP:


I can come.


Sorry, I can't make it this time.

P.S. Rep. McCarthy is your member of Congress. Want to see how she voted on health care?
Click here to find out. If you're glad about how she voted, say thanks! If you're disappointed, let her know.

For more info and to find other rallies in your area, click here.

And don't worry, this email was sent through the MoveOn system, so your personal contact info is kept private.

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.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 11, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Democrats against health care?!

Dozens of conservative House Democrats voted against health care reform. We're taking them on with a tough new TV ad. Can you chip in $20?
Click Here
Dear MoveOn member,

We won a big victory on health care on Saturday when the House of Representatives passed a bill that includes a public health insurance option.

But dozens of conservative Democrats sided with Big Insurance to vote against it.

We've got to show that voters will make them pay a political price for standing in the way of health care reform—and send a message to any Democrats in the Senate who are considering doing the same.

So we're rushing to launch a major new TV ad campaign in the home districts of the Democrats who voted against the bill—spending more than ever before on ads to hold Democrats accountable.

We've got to start airing these ads before the Senate takes up health care, and that means we need 3 donations from folks in Inwood today. Can you chip in $20?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/house_ads.html?bg_id=hpc0&id=17883-10220574-5Nu8Gax&t=3

This is a defining moment for the Obama era, because fence-sitting Democrats in Congress are watching carefully to see what happens to those who oppose real change.

If they see that there are no negative consequences for those who voted "no" in the House, it'll become much harder to win a final victory on health care—or on any of the other issues we care so much about.

So we've got to act quickly and forcefully to demonstrate that any politician who sides with corporate special interests will suffer for it back home.

And the best way to do that is to go up on the air immediately with this new ad campaign targeting House Democrats who voted against the health care bill. Can you chip in $20?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/house_ads.html?bg_id=hpc0&id=17883-10220574-5Nu8Gax&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Kat, Ilyse, Peter, and the rest of the team

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.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 10, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Rally in Brooklyn

The House just passed health care reform—and now the clock is ticking for the Senate to do the same.

So on Friday, we're holding a big "Countdown to Change" rally in 
Brooklyn to kick off a massive organizing effort. Can you come to the rally?


RSVP for the rally



Dear MoveOn member,

Huge news: After decades of progressive efforts to fix our broken health care system, on Saturday night the House of Representatives made history by passing health care reform!1

But now comes the real hurdle: the Senate. Winning there is going to take a massive organizing effort—and we're kicking it off with big rallies across the country this week to celebrate the passage of the House bill and demand the Senate do the same.

We've been pushing together for months. But now it's go time. There's a rally in Brooklyn on Friday—can you come? Click here for details and to RSVP:

http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=99456&id=17860-10220574-F7NoICx&t=3

The House bill isn't flawless. It includes a compromise version of the public option and an ugly anti-choice amendment.2 But it's a huge step forward: it would expand coverage to 96% of Americans, offer more choice through a national public option, and help end Big Insurance's stranglehold on our health care system.3

And the only way we'll get anything like it through the Senate is if we all come out right now and demand it.

Less than a month ago, conservatives and Big Insurance were gloating that health care reform with a public option was dead. But millions of us showed up and spoke out, and we proved them wrong.

This week, we'll seize the momentum to move the Senate action forward. We'll thank House members who voted for reform, and call out those who voted against it. Then we'll turn to the Senate and make sure our senators know the ball's now in their court and it's time to get it done.

Can you come to the rally in Brooklyn on Friday? Click the link below to RSVP:

http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=99456&id=17860-10220574-F7NoICx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Carrie, Anna, Ilya, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "House Democrats pass health-care bill," The Washington Post, November 8, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85143&id=17860-10220574-F7NoICx&t=5

2. "Abortion an obstacle to health-care bill," The Washington Post, November 9, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85142&id=17860-10220574-F7NoICx&t=6

3. "Affordable Health Care for America Act," Speaker Nancy Pelosi, November 7, 2009
http://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/legislation?id=0327

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.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 9, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Drop whatever you're doing

The big House health care vote is tomorrow. So we've launched a new online calling tool to reach out to MoveOn members in key districts and connect them to Capitol Hill. Can you make calls?

Click Here
Tragedy at Fort Hood

MoveOn members mourn the loss of lives at Fort Hood in the tragic shootings. Our prayers go out to the loved ones of those killed and wounded. Find ways to help here and here.
Dear MoveOn member,

After months of build-up, tomorrow is THE big House vote on landmark health care reform. But according to news reports, Democrats don't yet have the votes to win!

This is crunch time. We have to win this vote. Right now, it's all coming down to a key group of moderate Democrats who are on the fence—and we hear they're getting inundated with calls from health care opponents.

They need to hear from progressives now—so we're asking MoveOn members from all around the country to help.

How? We have a great new online tool that lets you call other MoveOn members in these key House districts and connect them directly to their representative's office on Capitol Hill.

Can you drop whatever you're doing and call a few fellow MoveOn members in these crucial districts right now?

Yes, I'll help make calls.

Sorry, I'm not interested.

Your fellow MoveOn members are always fun to talk to and eager to help out, and the tool uses brand-new technology that we've just finished building in time for the big vote.

You don't need to know anything special—our phone tool will walk you through the process and give you all the info you need. You can practice reading through the calling script, and then start calling MoveOn members.

The only requirement is that you're able to be on the phone (land line or cell phone) and on the Internet at the same time. And we can only make calls before 5 p.m. Eastern time, while Capitol Hill offices are still open.

If you have any questions, the webpage below includes answers to frequently asked questions and a way to email other MoveOn members for help.

There are far more progressives who support real health care reform than there are conservative extremists opposed to it. But to win this critical battle, we've got to reach out to every single MoveOn member in these key House districts and make sure they call their representative immediately.

Go ahead, click to get started:

Yes, I'll help make calls: http://pol.moveon.org/housecalls/?id=17833-10220574-uTvIVYx&t=6

Sorry, I'm not interested: http://pol.moveon.org/housecalls/no.html?id=17833-10220574-uTvIVYx&t=7 

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Michael, Noah, Kat, Daniel, and the rest of the team

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.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 6, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

$3,578,117

Clicking here will sign your name:
"If ANY member of the Democratic Caucus joins a Republican filibuster of healthcare reform with a public option, the Caucus must immediately strip that Senator of all Committee Chairmanships."

Sign the Open Letter
Dear MoveOn member,

$3,578,117!

That's how much progressives pledged this week to fund primary challenges against any Democratic senator who blocks an up-or-down vote on health care reform with a public option.

It's a huge sum, and the clearest signal yet that any Democrat who helps Republicans filibuster health care reform will face an enormous backlash from the grassroots.

Here's another way to make sure conservatives think twice before joining with Republicans: Many of these senators hold coveted committee chairmanships that give them significant power within the Senate.

Our friends at Democracy for America have launched an open letter urging Senate Democrats to strip committee chairmanship from any Democrat who filibusters health care. Will you join in? Clicking below adds your name:

http://pol.moveon.org/norewards/o.pl?id=17815-10220574-PyZ8Dnx&t=3

The message of the letter is simple. It says, "If ANY member of the Democratic Caucus joins a Republican filibuster of healthcare reform with a public option, the Caucus must immediately strip that Senator of all Committee Chairmanships."

In the Senate, the majority caucus has control over who chairs committees. Committee chairmanships are highly coveted because the chairperson has a lot of power over which bills get considered and what's in them.

But chairing a committee is a privilege, not a right. So if a member of the Democratic Caucus joins with Republicans on the most important vote in a generation, then they certainly don't deserve a position of power controlled by Democrats. The Democratic Caucus needs to make that clear to its members.

The fact that 66,000 MoveOn and Democracy for America members pledged more than $3.5 million to a primary challenge makes clear just how angry they'd be with any Democrat who helps Republicans doom health care reform. But as conservative Democrats decide what they're going to do, they should know that it's not just the grassroots they'd have to worry about if they filibuster, but also their colleagues.

Can you sign the open letter to the Democratic Caucus? Clicking below will add your name.

http://pol.moveon.org/norewards/o.pl?id=17815-10220574-PyZ8Dnx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Laura, Kat, Daniel, and the rest of the team

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.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 5, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Vote is very close

The House is about to vote on health care. With so much at stake, please ask Rep. McCarthy to vote FOR the health care reform bill.

Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516


Click Here
Hate wins, narrowly: Yesterday, Maine voters narrowly overturned a new law allowing gay marriage. Many thanks to all the MoveOn members who worked hard to try to keep this from happening. In Washington state, voters appear to have approved an "everything but marriage" domestic partnership law.

Sarah Palin loses: In upstate New York, Bill Owens, a Democrat endorsed and supported by MoveOn members, defeated a right-wing third-party candidate despite an all-out push by Sarah Palin and the "teabagger" far-right.
Dear MoveOn member,

After yesterday's election, you can bet pundits will be advising nervous Democrats to move to the right. But the biggest threat to Democrats would be failure to deliver real change—including health care reform that takes on the insurance companies.

That's why this week is hugely important. After months of build-up, the first huge health care vote is here. The House of Representatives is poised to vote on an important health care reform bill as soon as Friday.

The vote is expected to be very close, so every member of Congress needs to hear how crucial it is to support this bill. 

Can you call and ask Rep. McCarthy to vote FOR the health care bill?

Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FHNY_04&cp_id=1172&id=17801-10220574-FcevSux&t=3

The House health care bill would expand coverage to 96% of Americans, increase choice with a public health insurance option, end discrimination due to pre-existing conditions or gender, and help reduce the deficit.1

The bill is definitely a compromise. But thanks to House progressives, who fought hard to strengthen it, it's much better than the latest version of the Senate bill and delivers some important victories:

  • The House's public option is national and available on day one. The Senate's public option allows states to "opt-out"—leaving behind some of the folks who need it most.2 We need the public option in every state.
  • The House bill makes coverage more affordable than the latest available version of the Senate bill does. A family earning $54,000 a year would pay almost $4,000 less for health insurance under the House version.3 We need more affordable coverage for middle-class families.
  • The House bill covers 7 million more Americans than the latest Senate bill does.4 We need health care for everyone.

In the end, the House and Senate bills will be merged into one bill by a conference committee. A resounding vote in the House will help the stronger provisions prevail in the final bill.

Can you ask Rep. McCarthy to vote FOR the health care bill?

Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516

After you call, let us know by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FHNY_04&cp_id=1172&id=17801-10220574-FcevSux&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Noah, Kat, Michael, and the rest of the team

P.S. Can you also post on Rep. McCarthy's Facebook wall? If she has one, this will really get her attention. Click here to look for her Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/search/?o=65&q=Carolyn+McCarthy

To post a comment, you first have to click "Become a fan" near the top of the page. Then, just type your comment into the box that says "Write something..." and click "Share."

Sources:
1. "Affordable Health Care for America Act," Speaker Nancy Pelosi, October 29, 2009
http://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/legislation?id=0327

2. "Public Option Opt Out Denies Help to Those Who Need It Most," Firedoglake, October 8, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85096&id=17801-10220574-FcevSux&t=5

3. "ANALYSIS: House Bill More Affordable Than Senate Legislation," Think Progress, October 30, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85097&id=17801-10220574-FcevSux&t=6

4. Letter to Chairman Charles B. Rangel, Congressional Budget Office, October 29, 2009
http://cbo.gov/ftpdocs/106xx/doc10688/hr3962Rangel.pdf

Letter to Chairman Max Baucus, Congressional Budget Office, October 7, 2009
http://cbo.gov/ftpdocs/106xx/doc10642/10-7-Baucus_letter.pdf

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.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 4, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.