HDCC Newsletter, May 7, 2017
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Remember to Like the HDCC on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Tweet (@HaverhillMADems) or email us content and action items: hdccnewsma@gmail.com.
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Last Thursday, House Republicans voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a plan that cuts $880 billion from Medicaid and allows discrimination for pre-existing conditions; the CBO projected that the last version of the bill (and the version passed is crueler) will cause 24 million Americans to lose their insurance.
I am angry; I want to do everything I can to make sure that those who voted for such a massive redistribution of wealth — from poor, middle class, and sick Americans to the wealthy — loses his or her job. After all, the bill gets a 17% approval rating according to a Quinnipiac poll, so do these people truly represent us? I don’t think so. So I did what I could now: I donated.
Funds have been set up to donate future democratic candidates. In particular, 24 representatives come from districts in which Trump got less than 50% of the vote, and they voted yes. Daily Kos has started to raise money, and you can donate to that fund here. Indivisible is fighting back; MoveOn also has a Trumpcare accountability fund.
I get asked for money now every day, from one cause or another. But I’ll tell you why it makes sense now, and why it’s especially important: money sends a message — not only to the House, but to the Senate. The Senate takes up the bill now, and we can all see scenarios in which the bill passes the Senate (do you think Mitch McConnell cares about the people affected by this bill?) but doesn’t get much better. Money raised right now for Democratic opponents sends a message to the Senate: your jobs are at risk. We will come after you for this.
And, of course, now more than ever it’s important to look ahead to 2018. Sister District and Swing Left are two national groups focused on taking back the House. And locally, Greater Haverhill Indivisible is working in Haverhill and southern New Hampshire.
But if you just want to tell Republicans what you really think, sign this petition. (Warning: strong adult language here.) I signed, and it was deeply satisfying. (I didn’t share it on Facebook, though!)
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Tired of healthcare yet? No? Then read on:
House 2018: Rating Changes in 20 Districts
Retake Our Democracy has an excellent blog post on the vote. Scroll down past a few local announcements to TrumpCare: A Travesty.
10 senators to watch in the health care debate. If you haven’t yet signed up for VoxCare, Vox’s health care policy newsletter, now would be a good time to do that. There’s a “subscribe” box at the bottom of this article.
How the new Trumpcare bill could affect health care consumers
HOW TO FIGHT AGAINST REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED FOR ‘TRUMPCARE’: DONATE TO THEIR FUTURE OPPONENTS
The Resistance Now: big, angry crowds to fight back against Trumpcare
Hillary Clinton Urges The Resistance To “Fight Back” Against “Shameful” GOP Health Care Crusade
In Rare Unity, Hospitals, Doctors and Insurers Criticize Health Bill
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HDCC News
I hope you’ve read this far because there is a lot of exciting things happening now in the HDCC!
Save the date: May 22, 5:30 p.m., The Barking Dog: The Great Reveal. Be the first to see the new HDCC website! Socialize with other HDCC members.
We’ve started our discussion group of Robert Reich’s Saving Capitalism . The facilitator was excellent; we had great discussions. It’s not too late to join! This and next Thursday, May 11 and 18, 6:30 – 8:30, Milhendler Room, Haverhill Public Library.
There’s been so much enthusiasm for Saving Capitalism that the HDCC has decided to make a book discussion group a recurring event. Look for information on our next book and meeting date coming soon!
Also coming soon: Social Media training. Whether you have no idea what a tweet or a Like is, or if you just want to use your social media presence to further social justice causes, this training is for you. Beginners and old hands alike, look for more details about social media training coming soon!
Monday, May 8, 6:30-8:30, Action Committee meeting. Haverhill Public Library, Milhendler Room.
And don’t forget yoga — we need it now more than ever! Wednesday nights; 5:30-6:30 Giving Tree Yoga and Wellness, Yoga 4 HDCC Sign up now: whitsps@gmail.com
The HDCC has committees that could use your ideas, help, and energy. The Events Committee (young01950@yahoo.com) has started the book discussion group, is planning The Big (new website) Reveal, and is planning the HDCC Annual Breakfast.
The Action Committee (chere.bemelmans@gmail.com) puts out the newsletter, is constructing the new HDCC website, and is planning outreach with other Democratic city committees. Events and Action are co-planning forums, so stay tuned for information on that.
The Young Democrats Outreach committee is just getting started. If you’re interested in being part of this, please contact chere.bemelmans@gmail.com.
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What Our Reps Are Up To
Elizabeth Warren
Ed Markey
Niki Tsongas
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National Action Items
Call, email, or send a postcard to your representatives! Be outraged! Phone numbers and other calling information below. Per Elizabeth Warren: send this list to red state friends!
From the Union of Concerned Scientists. Markey and Ted Lieu of CA introduced this act: Write to your members of Congress and urge them to cosponsor the “Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act,” which would prohibit the president—any US president—from launching a nuclear first strike without a declaration of war from Congress.
From the NRDC (National Resources Defense Council): “Trump is threatening to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement Here’s what you do: Call the White House Comment Line at 202-456-1111 and leave a message for Ivanka Trump. . . . With enough pressure, we just might be able to persuade her to push harder to persuade the president that sticking with Paris is the right move.”
From Team 314 Action: Call the White House now at 202-456-1414: Tell them not to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement — then report back to let us know how it went.
Become educated about Pre-K education
From Common Cause: Close the foreign contributions loophole
Massachusetts Action Items
The League of Women Voters is supporting the following bills. Please call your state representatives and ask for their support.
Bill #
Bill Title
H1726
An Act to promote green infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs
S1821
An Act combating climate change
S1876/H2700
An Act relative to enhancing RPS standards
S1846/H2706
An Act relative to solar power and the green economy
H2683
An Act relative to protecting consumers of gas and electricity from paying for leaked and unaccounted for gas
H2148
An Act to require producer responsibility for collection, reuse, and recycling of discarded electronic products
Get involved in a local movement! Merrimack Valley Activists Forum, 9AM-12:30PM, Reliefs In 1 Market Street Lawrence. Hosted by State Senator Barbara L’Italien and the Andover Democratic Town Committee (Gus Bickford in attendance)
Coming Events
Wednesday nights; 5:30-6:30 Giving Tree Yoga and Wellness, Yoga 4 HDCC Sign up now: whitsps@gmail.com
May 8, 6:30-8:30, Haverhill Public Library, Milhendler Room, Action Committee meeting.
May 13, 9AM-12:30PM, Reliefs In 1 Market Street Lawrence. Hosted by State Senator Barbara L’Italien and the Andover Democratic Town Committee. Get involved in a local movement! Merrimack Valley Activists Forum,
May 20, 2:30 p.m., Copley Square, Boston, Rally For Public Education
May 25, 7-9. Unitarian Universalist Church, Greater Haverhill Indivisible social hour and meeting.
May 25, 5:30-7 p.m., Haverhill Public Library. Join a coalition of students, parents, teachers, community leaders fighting for our public schools.
Hear personal stories from students, families, and teachers and learn about our Schools Our Communities Deserve campaign.
June 3, 10 – 5, MA Democratic State Convention, DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester, MA
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Important links
Bill and representative tracking sites provide essential information on how your representatives voted and let you track bills in congress. You can search for bills by topic (like immigration or environment), and then track their progress through Congress. There is great information on these sites.
https://www.govtrack.us/
https://www.billtrack50.com/
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/megavote/
predictgov.com: gives a bill’s statistical chances of passage
Massachusetts Democratic Party: http://massdems.org/
National Democratic Party: https://democrats.org/
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Want to get even more involved?
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/.
https://www.womensmarch.com/: If you or someone you love marched, build on the energy.
http://thesixtyfive.org/home: Excellent website — very clear — with lots of current action items.
https://www.ofa.us/: Organizing for America is working to preserve President Obama’s legacy.
https://retakeourdemocracy.org/: this has a lot of action local to Santa Fe, but it also has links to national actions and a great blog. Check out their Personal Action Toolkit.
To sign up for Daily Action alerts, text the word DAILY to 228466 (not affiliated with HDCC).
Are you involved with a group of people taking action? Let me know! Do you have suggestions, content, or ideas for our newsletter or want to help? Contact hdccnewsma@gmail.com!
Here are the representatives for Haverhill, MA:
Senator Edward J. Markey: (202) 224-2742
Senator Elizabeth Warren: (202) 224-4543
Representative Niki Tsongas: (202)225-3411; other offices.
Capitol Hill switchboard that will connect you with any representatives: 202-224-3121
White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111
Here’s a sample script:
Hi, my name is Mark, I’m a constituent from Seattle, zip code 98***, I don’t need a response. I am opposed to banning the sale of blueberries and I encourage the Senator to please oppose implementation of any such ban. Thanks for your hard work answering the phones!
Former Capitol Hill Staffer Describes EFFECTIVE Script for Calls.
5 Calls makes calling your reps easier than speed dialing!