187 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
Ballots are in the mail for
May state and local elections!
Important Dates
Ballots Due 8:00 PM, May 19: Postmark DOES NOT COUNT
You can’t vote if you don’t get a ballot! Check here to track your ballot.
Don’t delay; study your voter pamphlet, make your decisions, mark your ballot, put it in the Postage Paid envelope, and mail it in or deposit it in a county ballot box (locations) before you lose it under a stack of bills! Urge all of your like-minded friends and family to do the same.
Progressive activism means voting the ENTIRE ballot, including seemingly obscure local boards and commissions, and those pesky initiatives.
Make the BLUE WAVE wash over every level of government!
Today’s Call To Action
DEMAND MINIMUM NATIONAL INCOME FOR THE PEOPLE
DEMAND COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDING WATCHDOG
We need one another to weather this pandemic. We also need to trust our government. That trust was shaken by news that $870 million – or nearly $1 billion — in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans meant for small businesses went to big businesses instead:
- Three luxury hotel companies controlled by one Trump donor: $126 million.
- Auto Nation, worth $3 billion: $77 million for separate dealerships.
- The LA Lakers, worth $4.4 billion: $4.6 million (they returned it upon learning the program funds were depleted).
- Several restaurant chains, a $100 million Kentucky coal company, a cruise line, a holding company whose former board member is now Ambassador to Ireland, and a biotech firm that had just paid a multi-million settlement to the Justice Department all received loans between $2 and $10 million.
We desperately need a COVID-19 relief oversight watchdog, but the mechanisms are excruciatingly slow to be established. Besides that, PPP loans aren’t going to fix workers’ problems anyway, even if 100% went to the right businesses.
We need to pass a guaranteed monthly income. The pandemic will probably last into 2021. Unemployment is at 20%. Many jobs will not come back quickly. Congress needs to stop counting on businesses and put money directly into the hands of people.
Pelosi says “guaranteed income” for Americans is worth considering for coronavirus recovery
Let’s Do This!
Demand Direct Relief FOR THE PEOPLE!
Take Care of the SMALL BUSINESSES!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY and WYDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code].
I imagine that the Senator is as [disappointed/heartbroken/outraged] as I am that $750 million — and counting — of the Paycheck Protection Program went to publicly traded companies and businesses that no one would ever call “small.”
Businesses need loans, but businesses won’t save everyone. People need money going directly to them. So while I support helping businesses – with strong congressional oversight – I ask the Senator to support a guaranteed monthly income. The pandemic may last a long time, and people need direct, consistent help to weather this storm.
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].
Republicans are doing what they always do in an economic crisis – throw money at businesses and hope they solve the problem. Now we watch while big businesses take $750 million and counting from a lifeline meant for small businesses, the Paycheck Protection Program.
To truly protect the economy, we need a guaranteed monthly income that goes directly to people. The pandemic will last too long to weather by trying to sustain only businesses and then expecting them to protect workers.
Tell Greg Walden to think about THE PEOPLE in his district and do the right thing.
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**
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Ongoing Event: Oregon Health Authority Coronavirus Update Zoom Conference Calls
May 1, 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.
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Fire and Climate Summit Webinar Series: Preparing for Wildfire Season During the COVID-19 Pandemic- Virtual
May 5 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-fire-and-climate-summit-webinar-series-preparing-for-wildfire-season-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-virtual/
ORD2 Indivisible Virtual General Meeting: Candidate Meet & Greet – Your Home!
May 11 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/ord2-indivisible-virtual-general-meeting-candidate-meet-greet-your-home/
Ongoing Action: ORD2 Indivisible Virtual Postcard and Letter Writing Parties
Postcards to Voters:
Our postcard team is temporarily suspending the delivery of postcards to your door. However, the good news is that you will find everything you need to continue writing from home (including templates to print your own or purchase pre-printed cards) here: https://postcardstovoters.org
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/