Saturday, January 29, 2011

Egypt

"We stand with the people of Egypt in their demand for freedom and basic rights, an end to the crackdown and internet blackout, and immediate democratic reform. We call on our governments to join us in our solidarity with the Egyptian people."

Sign the solidarity statement
Dear MoveOn member,

Massive pro-democracy protests are spreading quickly across Egypt. Protesters are bravely speaking out against a repressive regime that has ruled the country for more than 30 years. The protesters are demanding the right to free speech, an end to government corruption and brutality, and free and fair elections.1

Today we're joining an international grassroots movement to send a message of solidarity via radio and television to the people of Egypt and the Arab world.

So far, the protests have been overwhelmingly non-violent but the Egyptian government is cracking down hard. They have already arrested nearly a thousand protesters, declared a nationwide curfew, and cut off the internet.The regional media is one of our last ways to reach out to the people of Egypt.

So we're joining with our friends at Avaaz.org—an international MoveOn-style organization—to build a massive wave of support from people around the world to stand in solidarity with non-violent protesters in Egypt.

Avaaz will be spreading the statement of solidarity via radio and television across North Africa and the Middle East, where the Egyptian people can hear it.

You can join by signing the solidarity statement here:


We enjoy the rights to free speech and peaceful assembly in this country, and we ought to use them to support others who hope for the same freedoms.

We must support those in Egypt who are choosing to stand up for democracy. The response by the Egyptian government has been needlessly brutal so far. Security forces are firing at protesters with live ammunition, beating people on the streets, and cutting off nearly every means of communication in an effort to maintain control and suppress the calls for democracy.

The situation on the ground is volatile and our hope is to support those in Egypt who are choosing peaceful protest as the means by which to push for change.

Our show of support could help not only bring newfound freedom to Egypt but possibly catalyze a chain reaction of reform across the Middle East unlike anything we've seen since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Last week the people of Tunisia peacefully deposed a long-ruling dictator, inspiring the people of Egypt to stand up. Now, calls for reform are spreading to other countries including Yemen, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Right now our voices, in a show of unwavering solidarity with people non-violently calling for change, could potentially help bring fundamental human rights and democracy to millions of people. Add your name to the global statement of solidarity to be broadcast by radio here:

http://pol.moveon.org/standwithegypt?id=25944-10220574-4h5bNRx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Robin, Duncan, Peter, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1."Egyptians' Fury Has Smoldered Beneath the Surface for Decades," The New York Times, January 28, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205899&id=25944-10220574-4h5bNRx&t=5

2. "Egyptian military deploys in Cairo under curfew," MSNBC, January 28, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205898&id=25944-10220574-4h5bNRx&t=6

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 January 29, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

What's your story from the economic recession?

By sharing your personal experience during the recession, you can help keep the pressure on Congress to fix the economy. We'll bring these stories to our meetings with Congress next week. Can you share your story? 

Share your story
Dear MoveOn member,

Have you or someone close to you been impacted by the economic recession?  

Next week, MoveOn members in your area are meeting with your member of Congress (or their staff) to discuss how to fix our broken economy—and powerful personal experiences of local constituents are critical to making sure Congress gets the message. 

We're collecting stories from MoveOn members to bring to the meeting. If you—or someone you know—has been impacted by the recession, can you take 30 seconds to share your story? We'll bring some of the stories to share with members of Congress next week (and don't worry, to protect your privacy, we'll only include your first name and initial of your last name).  

http://pol.moveon.org/econ_stories/index.html?id=25911-10220574-kyxtl3x&t=3

The meeting with your member of Congress is being organized by your local MoveOn Council—a committed group of grassroots leaders who organize locally in their communities to hold Congress and the president accountable to us, not corporate lobbyists. If you're interested in learning more about your local Council or coming to the meeting next week, you can sign up when you submit your story. Click here to share your story: 

http://pol.moveon.org/econ_stories/index.html?id=25911-10220574-kyxtl3x&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Carrie, Duncan, Lenore, 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 January 26, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Mayor Bloomberg

"Congress must keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people by taking two critical steps: 1) Get all the names of people who should be prohibited from buying guns into the background check system. 2) Require a background check for every gun sale in America."

Sign the petition

Dear MoveOn member,

The tragedy in Tucson has brought to light some glaring holes in our gun control system.

Thousands of the records that should be in the background check system—people with documented histories of serious mental illness and drug abuse, like Arizona shooter Jared Lee Loughner—have never been entered.1 And you can still buy guns at gun shows with no background check at all.2

A bipartisan group of mayors from across the country, led by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, is now pushing to close these loopholes.

There is huge public support (over 90%!) for doing this3—but the gun lobby and the NRA are powerful and super well-funded and they will fight this tooth and nail. If we can show overwhelming public demand for the mayors' efforts right now, change is possible.

Can you sign this petition to Congress supporting the bipartisan proposal from Mayors Against Illegal Guns? If we can get over 250,000 signatures, mayors from across the country will deliver them directly to Congress. Click here:

http://pol.moveon.org/guncontrol/?id=25897-10220574-6zEiCnx&t=3

After the tragic mass shooting at Virginia Tech in 2006, Congress passed the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Improvement Act that created incentives for states to improve the reporting of background information to the NICS database. While it helped (increased the number of records in the database from 300,00 to 1.1 million), the database is still over a million records short. Here are some key facts:4

  • Twenty-eight states and D.C. still have less than 100 mental health records in the system, in part because this bill was underfunded.
  • The database only has 2,000 people listed as drug abusers—something that Jared Lee Loughner should have been listed as and would have prevented him from getting the gun he used.
  • Under this law, federal agencies—including the military—which rejected Loughner due to drug use should have been sharing that information with the NICS database.
  • Finally, even if the Arizona shooter had failed the NICS background check, he could have walked right into a gun show and bought a gun without any check at all.

The mayors effort focuses on two major components: Fully fund the NICS Improvement Act and strengthen procedures for compliance with the law, and fix the gun show loophole by requiring reasonable background checks at gun shows.

Their proposals are supported by more than 90% of the public, including gun owners. 

But the NRA is incredibly powerful and has a lot of allies in Congress. They've prevented important reforms like this before and they could again, unless we all speak out now.

http://pol.moveon.org/guncontrol/?id=25897-10220574-6zEiCnx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Nita, Kat, Anna, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. After Arizona Shootings Background Checks Examined, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, January 14, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205871&id=25897-10220574-6zEiCnx&t=5

2. Fix Gun Checks, Mayors Against Illegal Guns
http://www.fixgunchecks.org/background-checks

3. In Aftermath of Tucson Shooting, New Bipartisan Poll Shows Americans, Including Gun Owners, Support Tougher Laws to Keep Firearms Out of Dangerous Hands, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, January 18, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205872&id=25897-10220574-6zEiCnx&t=6

4. Fix Gun Checks, Mayors Against Illegal Guns
http://www.fixgunchecks.org/background-checks

Arizona Shooter's Gun Purchases Should Have Been Blocked, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, January 17, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205873&id=25897-10220574-6zEiCnx&t=7

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 January 25, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Your hopes, wishes, and prayers for Rep. Giffords


Click to view photos from the delivery.
Dear MoveOn member,

I'm Julie, and I work with the local MoveOn Council in Tucson, Arizona and I wanted to tell you about a moving event we held this past Tuesday.

Normally, local MoveOn councils organize rallies, district meetings, and other grassroots events. But this Tuesday we were doing something very different. We had the honor of delivering the thoughts, feelings, well wishes, hopes, and prayers of thousands of MoveOn members nationwide to our Congresswoman.

In the days since the tragic events of January 8th, MoveOn members like you showed their support and well wishes with a get well card for the Congresswoman. There were more than 140,000 messages—enough to fill three LARGE three ring binders. We presented these to the Congresswoman's staff along with a heartfelt message of thanks and support for all of their service and dedication.

Let me assure you, there was not a dry eye in the office at the end of our meeting.

Many of our council members have gotten to know Rep. Giffords and her staff through our efforts to get out the vote and our work on issues such as health care reform. We have always been impressed with the enthusiasm, openness and dedication shown by the Congresswoman's office and were not at all surprised to find staffers hard at work, serving their constituents as always.

This in turn has inspired our Council members. We know that even in times of reflection and sorrow, our best hopes can be realized if we continue to work for change and look toward the future. We must, as always, counter the tides of negative rhetoric with fact, reason, love, hope, and dignity.

Best wishes to you all,

Julie Jennings Patterson 

Council Coordinator, Tucson MoveOn


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 January 21, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Social Security on the chopping block

Click here to sign your name:
"President Obama: Americans are counting on you to defend Social Security. Tell Congress you will veto any benefit cut, including raising the retirement age"

Sign the petition
Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday, Republicans passed a bill to repeal health care reform. We know that bill won't become law.

But their next target is Social Security—and there, they might just succeed.

Washington has been whipped into a frenzy over the deficit, and there are rumors the White House may try to cut a deal with Republicans by offering cuts to Social Security in the State of the Union1, just like they did over the Bush tax cuts.

Some key Democrats in Congress have also signaled that they're open to cutting Social Security.2 But cutting Social Security is massively unpopular3, and if we can spread the word that this threat is more real than ever, we can create an outcry loud enough to stop it in its tracks.

So we're aiming to get 150,000 signatures saying that any cuts to the most successful government program in history have to be completely off the table. We'll deliver the petition to the White House before the speech next week. Will you add your name?

Click here to sign the petition to President Obama

Tea Party hysteria about deficits is pushing Republicans—and many Democrats—to support big cuts to Social Security benefits. Speaker of the House John Boehner wants to cut benefits3 by over 20%4, and he's not alone. Members of the media, and even leading Democrats like Steny Hoyer are trumpeting Social Security cuts—even though Social Security runs a surplus, can't contribute to the deficit, and can be secured for decades without any cuts to benefits.

If the rumors are right, President Obama could be next to embrace cuts, even as soon as the State of the Union address next week. Social Security belongs to us, the people who pay into it, and benefit cuts are deeply unpopular—not to mention devastating for the middle class workers who count on benefits to make ends meet.

We can stop benefit cuts in their tracks, but President Obama needs to hear from us. We need a massive outcry in defense of Social Security, to convince the President to take benefit cuts off the table. We're aiming for 150,000 signatures to get things started—can you add your name?

Click here to sign the petition to President Obama

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Joan, Duncan, Nita, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Liberals warn of Democratic schism if Obama backs Social Security cut" The Hill, January 15, 2011.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205831&id=25858-10220574-It.HOEx&t=5

2. "Raising the Social Security Retirement Age" Washington Independent, July 7, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205828&id=25858-10220574-It.HOEx&t=6

3.  "If Obama Moves Right He Loses Everybody—and Everybody Loses" Huffington Post, January 19, 2011.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205827&id=25858-10220574-It.HOEx&t=7

4. "John Boehner: Raise Social Security Retirement Age to 70" CBS News, June 29, 2010.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20009192-503544.html

5. "Social Security: A Consensus Based on Confusion" Brookings Institution, July 19, 2010.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205791&id=&t=5&id=25858-10220574-It.HOEx&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 January 20, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Sen. Reid's Stand for Social Security

Dear MoveOn member,

Fiscal conservatives in Washington want to make 2011 the year they finally cut Social Security—and politicians from both sides of the aisle are lining up to help them.

But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is throwing cold water on their plans and pushing back hard against any kind of cuts to Social Security. Last week on NBC's "Meet the Press," Reid made one of the best defenses of Social Security by a leading Democrat in a long time. Here's an excerpt of what he said:

"Social Security is a program that works, and it's going to be—it's fully funded for the next 40 years.  Stop picking on Social Security.... I'm not going to go to any of those back-door methods to whack Social Security recipients."1

With Speaker of the House John Boehner advocating to raise the retirement age2 and cut benefits by more than 20%3, we need more leaders like Harry Reid pushing back on behalf of working Americans.  

The Senate will be critical to the future of Social Security—can you call Senator Charles Schumer and ask him to support Majority Leader Reid's stance against benefit cuts? 

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=1516&id=25817-10220574-2cyV78x&t=1

When you call, remember to say that you live in New York, and speak from the heart about why Social Security matters to you and your family. Say that you would like your senator to join Harry Reid in opposing any kind of Social Security benefit cut.

This session of Congress will decide the future of Social Security. The new Republican leadership has made benefit cuts a top priority, under the auspices of deficit reduction, and late last year the co-chairs of the President's Deficit Commission issued a report recommending deep benefit cuts that won support from conservative members of both parties.4

That's what makes Sen. Reid's comments so important. With the Republicans in control of the House, the future of Social Security will be decided in the Senate—and Sen. Reid needs all the support he can get to stop benefit cuts.

Can you call Senator Charles Schumer to ask him to support Sen. Reid? Here is his number again:

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Then, report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1&cp_id=1516&id=25817-10220574-2cyV78x&t=2

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Duncan, Nita, Laura, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Harry Reid Valiant on Social Security: It's Not in Crisis," AlterNet, January 10, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205788&id=25817-10220574-2cyV78x&t=3

2. "John Boehner: Raise Social Security Retirement Age to 70," CBS News, June 29, 2010
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20009192-503544.html

3. "Social Security: A Consensus Based on Confusion" Brookings Institution, July 19, 2010.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205791&id=25817-10220574-2cyV78x&t=4

4. "Debt Commission Report Targets Social Security, Medicare," Huffington Post. November 10, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205789&id=25817-10220574-2cyV78x&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 January 14, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Obama's speech last night

Dear MoveOn member,

Last night President Obama spoke powerfully about what happened in Arizona.

We were struck by the incredibly strong reaction our friends and family had to the speech, so we're passing it along in case you missed it:

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Kat, Nita, Steven, and the rest of the team


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 January 13, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Get well, Rep. Giffords

America needs Rep. Giffords' courage and strength. Click to add your name to our get well card:

Click to sign the card

Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' surgeon gave America some great news: He says she is now very likely to survive Saturday's shooting in Tucson.1

But it's still a very long road to recovery. Rep. Giffords remains in an induced coma, and recovery from any major brain injury is arduous.

Despite the tragedy of Saturday's shootings, millions of Americans have been inspired by Rep. Giffords' courage and dedication to public service. She refused to let threats—and even finding a gun at one of her town hall meetings—keep her from serving her constituents.2

We're putting together a get well card for Rep. Giffords to wish her a full and quick recovery, and to thank her for her courage. Local MoveOn members will deliver it to her in Tuscon tomorrow.

Click here to add your name to the get well card for Rep. Giffords.

As the political rhetoric in America becomes more heated, we should be thankful for representatives like Congresswoman Giffords who continue with their work undaunted by intimidation and threats. Her service sets an important example for all of us.

While Rep. Giffords' prognosis for survival is good, recovery from her injuries will be difficult, and lengthy. MoveOn members in Tucson will be delivering our get well card to Rep. Giffords tomorrow, to let her know that we have her in our thoughts and prayers.

Click here to add your name to the get well card.

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Adam, Amy, Anna, Annie, Carrie, Christopher, Daniel, David, Duncan, Eli, Emily, Gail, Ian, Ilya, Ilyse, Joan, Kat, Laura, Lenore, Mariana, Marika, Matthew, Melanie, Michael, Milan, Nita, Peter, Robin, Ryan, Susannah, Stephen, Steven, Tim, and Wes

Sources:

1. "Doc: Giffords '100 percent' certain to survive" Tucson Sentinel, January 11, 2011.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205774&id=25791-10220574-zld90nx&t=6

2. "FLASHBACK: Gabby Giffords Faced Threats Over Heath Care Vote" Talking Points Memo, January 8, 2010.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205775&id=25791-10220574-zld90nx&t=7

 

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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 January 12, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

No more violence

"I call for an end to all overt or implied appeals to violence in American politics. We must debate, not hate."

Sign the petition

Dear MoveOn member,

The tragedy in Tucson has shaken us all to the core. Facts are still coming in, and we all must be careful not to jump to premature conclusions.

But in the wake of this disaster one thing is clear: We must put an end to the rhetoric of violence and hate that has exploded in America over the past two years.

That's why we're launching a petition calling on every member of Congress, as well as the major TV and cable news networks, to put an end to the hateful rhetoric and all overt or implied appeals to violence. Click here to sign the petition:

http://pol.moveon.org/debatenothate?id=25758-10220574-Jz0t_Ax&t=3

Here's what the petition says: "I call for an end to all overt or implied appeals to violence in American politics. We must debate, not hate."

After you sign, please forward this email to the people in your email address book and post on Facebook and Twitter to keep it going. With a large enough response, this petition can help focus the debate on the urgent need to end the rhetoric of violence and hate that has become so widespread over the past two years.

We don't know what motivated the individual or individuals who committed this atrocity. And, if reports are true, it's deeply troubling that the suspected shooter displayed so many signs of serious mental illness, and our public health institutions failed to respond.1

But the terrifying fact is that this act of violence falls into a pattern that has emerged over the past two years in America and in Gabrielle Giffords' district in particular.

Windows were smashed at Representative Giffords' district office last March just a few hours after the House vote on health care reform.2 At one of the infamous town hall events in August 2009, a man attending the event accidentally dropped a handgun on the floor that he had been hiding under his arm.3

And violent tendencies have been inflamed by the careless and irresponsible rhetoric of certain political leaders. Sarah Palin's infamous "target list" displayed Democratic districts, including Rep. Giffords', in crosshairs, as if viewed through a gunsight.4

In addition, violent imagery was prominently featured during the last election. For instance, a rally for Rep. Giffords' Republican opponent, Jesse Kelly, was promoted with the following notice: "Get on Target for Victory in November. Help remove Gabrielle Giffords from office. Shoot a fully automatic M16 with Jesse Kelly."5

As Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, speaking from the heart at an emotional news conference last night, said:

There's reason to believe that this individual may have a mental issue. And I think people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol... When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous.6

Please take a moment to add your voice to this call to end the rhetoric of violence and hate, and then share it with all your friends. Click here to sign:

http://pol.moveon.org/debatenothate?id=25758-10220574-Jz0t_Ax&t=4

And thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Adam, Amy, Anna, Annie, Carrie, Christopher, Daniel, David, Duncan, Eli, Emily, Gail, Ian, Ilya, Ilyse, Joan, Kat, Laura, Lenore, Mariana, Marika, Matthew, Melanie, Michael, Milan, Nita, Peter, Robin, Ryan, Susannah, Stephen, Steven, Tim, and Wes

P.S. You might also want to check out a video we posted on the petition page of Rep. Giffords herself talking about this issue last year. It's a powerful reminder not only of how important this issue is, but also what an amazing leader Gabby Giffords has been for America and, we deeply hope, will continue to be.

Sources:

1. "Exclusive: Jared Loughner Radically Changed Before Alleged Shooting, Friend Says," ABC News, January 9, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205717&id=25758-10220574-Jz0t_Ax&t=5

2. "Rep. Giffords' Tucson office vandalized after health care vote," Arizona Daily Star, March 22, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205718&id=25758-10220574-Jz0t_Ax&t=6

3. "Gabrielle Giffords Town Hall: Gun Left Behind," The Huffington Post, August 11, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205721&id=25758-10220574-Jz0t_Ax&t=7

4. "Tucson rampage casts light on toxic political tone," Arizona Daily Star, January 8, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205719&id=25758-10220574-Jz0t_Ax&t=8

5. "Sarah Palin Criticized Over Gabrielle Giffords Presence on 'Target List,'" CBS News, January 8, 2011
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20027918-503544.html

6. "News Conference with Pima County Sheriff & Others (Courtesy of KVOA TV, Tucson, Arizona)," C-SPAN, January 8, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205720&id=25758-10220574-Jz0t_Ax&t=9

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 January 9, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Prayers for Gabrielle Giffords

Dear MoveOn member,

This is a tragic day for America.

As you may have already heard, Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 17 other people were shot today at an event near Tucson.

Right now, Rep. Giffords is in critical condition, and there are reports are that at least five people have been killed, including a young child of about nine years old and Justice John M. Roll, the chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy. We've created a Facebook page where we can all post prayers and thoughts for Rep. Giffords, the other victims and their families. You can find it here:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205705&id=25753-10220574-PlLhQux&t=1

Gabrielle Giffords is an up-and-coming, shining star in Congress. Anyone who's been around her will tell you that she's smart, passionate, and one of the hardest working members of Congress. Robert Reich, one of her mentors, once said, "I wouldn't be surprised if she's the first or second female president of the United States."1

Judge Roll started his legal career as a bailiff in the Pima County Superior Court and worked his way all the way to the federal bench. He was appointed by President George H. W. Bush in 1991 and began serving as presiding judge in 2006.

This is such a terrible, confusing, awful thing. Please join us in sending your prayers and wishes to those who are suffering tonight. Here again is the link:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205705&id=25753-10220574-PlLhQux&t=2

–Justin, Adam, Amy, Anna, Annie, Carrie, Christopher, Daniel, David, Duncan, Eli, Emily, Gail, Ian, Ilya, Ilyse, Kat, Laura, Lenore, Mariana, Marika, Matthew, Melanie, Michael, Milan, Nita, Peter, Robin, Ryan, Susannah, Stephen, Steven, and Tim

Sources:

1. "Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Democrat of Arizona," Almanac of American Politics, January 8, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205704&id=25753-10220574-PlLhQux&t=3


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 January 8, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Will you join me?

Dear fellow MoveOn member,

My name is Rufus and I'm a MoveOn volunteer Regional Coordinator based in Rockford, IL.

As a Regional Coordinator, I've guided the Council in Rockford to get consistent local media attention on issues ranging from the public option in health care to corporate influence in Washington. I've supported leaders in Oklahoma—one of the reddest states in the country—to help build four MoveOn groups there. And I've worked with Council members in Illinois and Oklahoma to take on more leadership and step up as Regional Coordinators with their own teams of local leaders. 

Being a Regional Coordinator has allowed me to walk the walk of my political convictions. I can actively organize others for the progressive cause instead of complaining about the state of our country.

That's why I want to invite you to apply for the Regional Organizer Academy, a six-week organizer training program that you can participate in from the comfort of your home. You'll get the skills and experience to join the team and you'll be part of a doubling of our national Regional Coordinator team—so we can build more local groups and have more impact around the country. 

Do you have what it takes to be a MoveOn Regional Coordinator? Click here to apply:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205683&id=25745-10220574-ntRFBQx&t=1

If you're accepted into the Regional Organizing Academy, you will:

  • Develop and deepen campaign-building skills, hold members of Congress accountable by mobilizing your community, and strengthen the progressive movement. You will be learning in a "virtual" training center with support from MoveOn Field Organizers and Regional Coordinators.
  • Recruit, develop, and support over the phone your own teams of local organizers to fight to create jobs and a clean-energy economy, and in defense of the Other 98% of us without big corporate lobbyists in Washington.
Will you join me in the Regional Organizer Academy? Click here to apply:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205683&id=25745-10220574-ntRFBQx&t=2

I truly love the work I get to do as a Regional Coordinator—it gives me great satisfaction working with others to make the change we believe in happen. I hope you take some time today to apply to join me and the Regional Coordinator team as we work to grow a more powerful progressive movement!

Sincerely,

Rufus Cadigan
Rockford, IL

PS—Feel free to review these Frequently Asked Questions and email regional_organizer@moveon.org if you have questions that aren't answered in the FAQ.

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 January 7, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

A really scary phone call

Republicans scored huge wins at the state and local levels last November, and now these new governors and state legislators are pushing a frightening far-right agenda to slash budgets, block health care reform, impose draconian immigration laws, and more. Can you chip in $15 a month to stop the Republican onslaught in states and communities around the country?

Contribute Now

Dear MoveOn member,

"Look, I know MoveOn usually works on national issues, but the Republicans have taken over, and we really need your help."

That was the message I got last week from a leading progressive in the state legislature in my home state of Maine. I could hear the urgency in her voice—and we're hearing the same thing from progressive legislators all across the country.

As you know, in New York, Republicans won control of the state Senate, and they now control the entire state government in a whopping 20 states—almost half the country.1

And their agenda, frankly, is frightening: passing draconian Arizona-style immigration laws, blocking President Obama's health care reform, and making deep cuts to Medicare and education. And following the 2010 census, they'll have the opportunity to lock in their gains for years to come through redistricting.2

So we're launching a major new initiative to defend against the Republican onslaught in states and cities around the country. This could be the biggest test ever of MoveOn's model of people-powered politics, and we'll need more organizers, more cutting-edge Internet organizing tools, and enough resources to pay for it all.

Can you help give us the ongoing resources we need for this project by making a monthly donation of $15 per month? It's easy, and you can cancel at any time. Click here to donate:

Yes, I can give $15 a month

Sorry, I can't

If you contribute, you'll be counted among the "founders" of this new initiative—and we'll share new tools and updates with you before we go public.

Some of the new crop of conservative state and local leaders are just beyond the pale. Florida Governor Rick Scott is the former CEO of a hospital chain that was hit with a $2 billion penalty for Medicare fraud.3 Maine's new governor, Paul LePage, is a tea party activist who infamously said that if elected, he would tell President Obama to "go to hell."4

And it's not just governors. Over 25 state legislatures—including many you wouldn't think of as "red"—are said to be considering Arizona-style immigration laws.5 Leading Iowa state Republicans want to abolish funding for preschool.6 And the list goes on. 

To fight back, we need to bring the techniques and tech tools we pioneered in national politics to help wage successful state and local campaigns. With your help, we'll identify the most important issues and campaign strategies in each state, and create new internet organizing tools to make sure our local leaders have what they need to win. The key is tapping into the leadership skills of our five million members.

Here's some of what we're planning:

  • New tool to enable local progressives to run MoveOn-style campaigns. We're putting the finishing touches on a tool that'll let you organize your own campaign on an issue you care about—and find other MoveOn members in New York and elsewhere who share your passion and can help you win.

  • National support for strong state and local campaigns. We'll bring national attention to state and local campaigns that might spark others to take action. Whether it's a state law cracking down on polluters or a breakthrough on gay marriage equality, we'll give extra support and national attention to the most exciting state and local campaigns.

  • Connecting local activists with skilled MoveOn members who can provide critical assistance. MoveOn's membership includes writers, graphic designers, teachers, experienced organizers, computer programmers, and so much more. That's a talent pool that's worth tapping! So we'll connect skilled and trained members to campaigns that need their expertise.

But it's only with the support of our members that we can take on such an ambitious project. Can you commit to kick in $15? Click here to donate:

Yes, I can give $15 a month

Sorry, I can't

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Amy, Anna, Michael, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "2010 Post-Election Control of State Government: Legislature and Governor," National Conference of State Legislatures, accessed January 5, 2011
http://www.ncsl.org/?tabid=21320

2. "Republicans gain edge in redistricting," USA Today, November 8, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205656&id=25725-10220574-vPhDd_x&t=7

3. "Florida Welcomes Rick Scott As Their New Fraudster King," The Huffington Post, January 4, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205658&id=25725-10220574-vPhDd_x&t=8

4. "LePage: I'd tell Obama to 'go to hell,'" Politico, September 29, 2010
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/42886.html

5. "Many states look to Arizona's SB 1070 as a model for new immigration legislation," The American Independent, December 28, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205660&id=25725-10220574-vPhDd_x&t=9

6. "Iowa GOP bill: Eliminate preschool, cancel sabbaticals and chop AEA budgets," Des Moines Register, January 3, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205661&id=25725-10220574-vPhDd_x&t=10

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 January 6, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

How are we doing?

Dear MoveOn member,

People have lots of different ideas about what MoveOn.org is, but the answer is actually quite simple: MoveOn is an organization designed to help regular people have a powerful voice in politics.

MoveOn's power and direction come entirely from members like you. The type of work we do together and the issues that we focus on aren't decided by MoveOn's (small) staff, they're decided by MoveOn members.

One of the main ways that happens is using surveys like this one.

Can you take a moment to tell us how you think MoveOn is doing and help set our course together?

http://moveon.org/tracking/index_t5.html?id=25706-10220574-6q.fBIx&t=1

This particular survey is being sent out to a few thousand randomly selected members and every MoveOn member receives a survey like this at least once a year. Your feedback helps the staff understand what members want to work on this week, and how you're feeling about politics and progressive issues.

Your answers will help determine MoveOn's future course of action, so please give the unvarnished truth. If the staff need to be doing better work in a certain area, say so! 

Please fill out the survey here:

http://moveon.org/tracking/index_t5.html?id=25706-10220574-6q.fBIx&t=2

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Nita, Lenore, Ilyse 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 January 5, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.