CALL TO ACTION #882: Bailouts Must Protect Workers, Not Waste Taxpayer Dollars (March 19, 2020)


229
Days

Until the November 3rd Election


Special Note

The ORD2 Indivisible Steering Committee has begun actively forming a COVID-19 Action Team to aid any of our group who are isolated because they have been exposed to the virus. We know of at least one member in this situation who lives alone.  If you’d like to join this team please send your contact information (including telephone/text number) to .

If you have been advised to quarantine yourself and need help getting food, household supplies, medications, etc.  please email us so we can assist, . For anything that we purchase on your behalf, we will provide you with receipts for reimbursement as our volunteers are not in a position to pay for your items. Please let us know if we can help!


BAILOUTS MUST PROTECT WORKERS, NOT WASTE TAXPAYER DOLLARS  


We all believe in saving money for a rainy day. Corporations too big to fail don’t live by that rule. They use profits to buy back stocks, give big bonuses to executives and increase dividends to shareholders.  

Now Trump is floating a massive package that includes $50-$100 billion in airline and industry relief. In the past five years, the 4 largest airlines made huge profits, then spent $39 billion of that buying back their own stock. Now they don’t have enough money to last three months. They asked Congress for $60 billion, half in grants.  

We say no. We like Elizabeth Warren’s plan. Any funds to rescue industries should stipulate:  

  • No grants; just loans with interest payments 
  • No more stock buybacks, ever 
  • $15/hour minimum wage 
  • Use federal funds to keep people working 
  • 3-year ban on dividends and executive bonuses 
  • Keep collective bargaining agreements  
  • At least one seat on the board for workers 
  • Shareholder approval for all political spending 
  • CEOs must certify compliance and will face criminal penalties for violations

It’s gotten so bad that even Trump’s proposal sets limits on executive pay. We need more guardrails. We need politicians who will . . .

Curb Corporate Greed

Protect Working Families

Put People Before Profits


**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**

SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR SENATORS MERKLEY AND WYDEN

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today . . .

Because Congress should support individuals and small businesses facing financial ruin in this crisis. That money will go right back into our economy. But any bailouts for industries and large corporations must protect workers and curb greed. Please ask the Senator to support Senator Warren’s 9-point plan to make sure taxpayer funds don’t benefit the top 1% at the expense of the rest of us. 

  • No grants; just loans with interest payments 
  • No more stock buybacks, ever 
  • $15/hour minimum wage 
  • Use federal funds to keep people working 
  • 3-year ban on dividends and executive bonuses 
  • Keep collective bargaining agreements  
  • At least one seat on the board for workers 
  • Shareholder approval for all political spending 
  • CEOs must certify compliance and will face criminal penalties for violations

Thank you.”


SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY

Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/

 

SENATOR RON WYDEN

Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/

 


**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today . . .

Because Congress should support individuals and small businesses facing financial ruin in this crisis. That money will go right back into our economy. But any bailouts for industries and large corporations must protect workers and curb greed. Please ask Greg Walden to support Senator Warren’s 9-point plan to make sure taxpayer funds don’t benefit the top 1% at the expense of the rest of us. 

  • No grants; just loans with interest payments 
  • No more stock buybacks, ever 
  • $15/hour minimum wage 
  • Use federal funds to keep people working 
  • 3-year ban on dividends and executive bonuses 
  • Keep collective bargaining agreements  
  • At least one seat on the board for workers 
  • Shareholder approval for all political spending 
  • CEOs must certify compliance and will face criminal penalties for violations

Thank you.”

COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN

DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me


**ACTION THREE: BE AN ACTIVIST**

All ORD2 Indivisible sponsored events have been canceled in order to minimize public gatherings. We anticipate rescheduling several events in the near future and will provide updates in the daily Call to Action and on the ORD2 Indivisible website event calendar.

Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. We also encourage you to submit events to be added to the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar and help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/

Let the Coronavirus NOT stop you from being an activist – keep your social distance and join our ORD2 Indivisible Virtual Postcard Party!

If you live in Medford, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Talent or Ashland, we’ll deliver to your doorstep a pack(s) with 25 stamped postcards and stickers to write for a campaign through https://postcardstovoters.org/

We ask you to leave a donation of $10 per packet to cover the cost of supplies and postage in an envelope by your front door. We’ll drop off a packet(s) with everything you need to write from home.

Simply join postcardstovoters.org online. Once you get your packet of cards from us, write your cards and mail them from home.

We’ll start delivering packets on Tuesday.
Extra donations for ORD2 Indivisible are welcome.

ORD2 Indivisible 2020 Fundraising Campaign

As we approach what will be the most important election of our lifetimes, ORD2 Indivisible wants to be in a secure financial position to help engage as many voters in our district in the election process as possible. To accomplish this goal we are conducting the ORD2 Indivisible 2020 fundraising campaign. Click on the image below to donate.

 

To make a donation by check, please make the check payable to ORD2 Indivisible and mail to:
ORD2 Indivisible
P.O. Box 1242, Phoenix, OR 97535


ORD2 Indivisible is partnering with Jobs With Justice Southern Oregon and Washington Federal Bank to gather warm adult clothing for the homeless. We are also asking for tarps, throw blankets and sleeping bags.

Please donate generously!