CALL TO ACTION #1035: Vote BLUE to Retake the Senate (October 23, 2020)
11 Days
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We invite you to watch and share this YouTube video by ORD2 Indivisible co-founder, Jessica Sage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQNs_kR5JN0
***Today’s Call To Action***
Vote BLUE to Retake the Senate
McConnell’s rules work for the GOP and its donors, but not for the American people. He has pushed through massive tax cuts for the rich and the appointment of ultra-conservative judges, which should require simple majority votes, while COVID relief and help for We The People require a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority to reach the Senate floor. The Grim Reaper is abusing his power as Majority Leader.
Electing Biden, flipping the Senate, and holding the House gives us chance to enact major structural democracy and economic reforms to ensure government works For The People. But they won’t become law until the Senate removes the last remnants of the inherently undemocratic filibuster which helps the minority party thwart the will of the majority.
The Constitution’s framers required a Senate supermajority vote for overriding presidential vetoes and for impeachment, treaties and constitutional amendments—not to legislate. For almost 200 years the Senate was governed by simple majority rule. Then, McConnell weaponized the filibuster to block President Barack Obama’s agenda. Removing it through a simple rule change will reestablish the Senate’s proper function—legislating.
We are educating ourselves on the filibuster’s misuse to build momentum for change. Work to get out the vote and join Senator Merkley’s crusade to return the Senate to a functioning institution.
COVID Relief NOW!
Stop SCOTUS Confirmation!
Get Out the BLUE Vote!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY and WYDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
For Merkley:
While a sweep in November will give Congress a chance to enact major reforms to ensure the government works for all Americans, as the Senator well knows, nothing will pass until the Senate gets rid of the filibuster. Please thank the Senator for his years of tireless behind-the-scenes work convincing his colleagues of this necessity and ask him to keep up the momentum so that this becomes one of the new Senate’s first priorities. Additionally, I need him to:
- Keep pushing for COVID relief
- Protect the sanctity of our election and the peaceful transfer of power
- Do everything in his power to prevent Barrett’s confirmation
Thank you.”
For Wyden:
While a sweep in November will give Congress a chance to enact major reforms to ensure government works for all Americans, nothing will pass until the Senate gets rid of the filibuster. Please ask the Senator to:
- Add his voice to Senator Merkley’s in building momentum for the necessity of this important reform so that this becomes one of the new Senate’s first priorities
- Keep pushing for COVID relief
- Protect the sanctity of our election and the peaceful transfer of power
- Do everything in his power to prevent Barrett’s confirmation
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].
Elections have consequences, and voters have the right to expect their government to enact the policies of the party winning the election. Unless Greg Walden does the following, he will long be remembered as the Oregon Congressman who chose to aid and abet his criminal POTUS’ reign of terror:
- Commit to protecting the sanctity of our elections and the peaceful transfer of power
- Recognize the right of the American people, through their votes, to choose Justice Ginsburg’s replacement, by urging GOP Senate colleagues to vote against Trump’s nominee
- Repudiate Trump’s crimes against asylum seekers
- Apologize for trying to take our healthcare away from us
Thank you.”
COMPLICIT GREG WALDENDC (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**
October 23, 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ongoing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
#MyORHealth Support is available for Oregon’s “helpers”
Lines for Life has created a Virtual Wellness Room to offer support to helpers, mental health professionals, first responders, social workers and anyone considered an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon. Each check-in call will have a facilitator to guide the conversation.
“We at Lines for Life want to thank you for all the work you do to keep our communities safe,” the organization said. “We are offering a place for helpers to exchange stories of hope and areas of need. We especially want to hear what things are coming up for you personally and explore how we can cheer one another on to continue the good work you are already doing. We ultimately want to create space to breathe out stress and breathe in hope.”
The meetings are held using Zoom conference calls from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at this link: https://zoom.us/j/4848426773. Please share this invite with anyone in your network of Oregon helpers.
November 4 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/count-every-vote-medford/
November 4 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/count-every-vote-ashland/
Ongoing Action: Letters & Postcards to Voters:
You can sign up through https://postcardstovoters.org/volunteer/ To avoid unnecessary trips to the post office, order stamps directly from the USPS:
https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/coral-reefs-postcard-stamp-S_745104…and voila, you’re ready to go! Send an e-mail to with any questions.
Letters to Voters:
We encourage our team of volunteers to sign up with Swing Left to start writing letters to voters in 12 swing states. It is super easy to join. Check out their website, sign up, and let’s start writing! https://swingleft.org/
Send an e-mail to if you would like more information about how to get involved.
Virtual Letter-writing Parties:
We encourage you to join virtual letter-writing parties hosted by Oregon Indivisible / Swing Left. The parties are held at noon every Saturday and on the last Tuesday of every month. Here are the links for the next two parties:
https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/267146/
**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/
Sources:
The definitive case for ending the filibuster (This great source and should be read by all)
The Impact of the Filibuster on Federal Policymaking (another good source)
How to Talk to Skeptical Senators About Ending the Filibuster (another good source)
Ending the filibuster is about to be more important than ever
Democratic insiders set up a ‘war room’ to quickly kill the filibuster
Filibuster reform gains steam with Democrats
Can We Just Get Rid of the Filibuster Already?
Will Joe Biden Get Rid of the Senate Filibuster?
Obama’s Call to Abolish Filibuster Puts Further Spotlight on the Tactic
