National Call to Action: Strengthen Government Ethics! Pass HR1/S1! (CTA#1071 March 2, 2021)


 ***NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION***


Strengthen Government Ethics!

Pass H1/S1!


Voters give the POTUS great powers and trust that those powers will be used solely in the interest of the people. That trust has eroded over the years and now wavers between 7% and 20%. Restoring trust between The People and the government will only begin with leaders adhering to ethical standards. An ethics violation is an alarm, warning that an official has placed personal interests above their obligations to the public.

That’s why The For the People Act (HR 1 and S1) codifies ethical standards. For the Executive Branch, it would:

  • Require that presidents, vice-presidents and major party candidates make public 10 years of income and business tax returns.
  • Order the president and vice president to divest from any holdings that could pose a conflict of interest.
  • Demand administration officials recuse themselves from matters that involve a former employer

The Act also puts teeth into the Office of Government Ethics. Previously, enforcement depended on naming and shaming. Under the Act, OGE could conduct formal investigations and fine violators.

Trump’s monumental self-interest led to 3,700 ethics violations (and $1.6 billion in income) that culminated in the Capitol insurrection. At last, we have a President dedicated to restoring trust in government by adhering to ethical standards. We must make adherence to ethical standards permanent.

Demand Ethical Behavior in Washington, DC!


**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]. 

After the moral calamity of the Trump presidency, we need to restore ethical behavior and trust in government. The ethics component of the For the People Act will do just that. I’m grateful for the Senator’s support. I ask him to go further than just vote for it; he should work to make people aware that:

  • Ethics violations are alarms that signal politicians are placing self-interests above their duty to the public.
  • Adhering to ethical codes will help restore trust in government.
  • S1 outlines those standards and puts teeth into the Office of Government Ethics.

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 EXTREMIST CLIFF BENTZ**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR BENTZ:

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

If Cliff Bentz cares about good government, regardless of who’s in power, he will support the For the People Act. An essential component of the bill strengthens ethics and enforcement. If the public doesn’t believe government is working for them, they will lose faith in both major parties. For the good of the country, please ask Cliff to support the Act.

Cliff Bentz WILL BE held accountable; I’ll be watching for his ‘yea’ vote. 

Thank you.”

ORD2 Extremist Cliff Bentz

Medford: 541-776-4646
DC : 202-225-6730
Twitter: @cliffbentz

Email: Apparently, Bentz refuses direct emails.

 

 


**ACTION THREE: BE AN ACTIVIST**