Action-Packed Week

Tea Party Grabs the World by the Nose

In this week’s exciting episode:

  • Debt Ceiling Deal & Its Aftermath
  • Wisconsin Elections
  • Phonebank and Canvass for David Weprin
  • New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
  • Stage Manager/Rally Planner Needed

Debt Ceiling Deal & Its Aftermath

What a week it has been. First a deal to raise the debt ceiling extorted by the GOP under threat of default, followed by a week of free-style stock market diving, topped off by a downgrade of the US credit rating by Standard & Poor’s—the first in American history. Now European central bankers are scrambling to find a way to reassure investors in the hopes of avoiding a global stock market crash. One of the key reasons cited by S&P for their downgrade decision was American political dysfunction and its implications for long-term debt reduction.

Unfortunately, that’s only the beginning. Reuters reports that tea party activists plan to swamp town hall meetings this August to push for adoption of Paul Ryan’s plan to turn Medicare into a voucher system, essentially crippling it. They’re apparently emboldened by the outcome of the debt ceiling standoff.

We need to contact our Senators and Representatives and use every conceivable medium of communication to insist on the following:

  • No more tax cuts. Period.
  • Increase revenues by eliminating tax loopholes and ending the Bush tax cuts.
  • Hands off Medicare, Medicaid & Social Security.

Wisconsin Elections

This Tuesday, August 9, special elections will be held in Wisconsin to recall 6 of the Republicans who voted for Scott Walker’s war against working people and democracy in that state. Victory for Democrats in at least 3 of those races will return control of the State Senate to Democrats, preventing any further damage by Walker and his cronies while sending a message across the country that ordinary Americans will not tolerate such extremism.

Here’s what you can do:

Call Out the Vote
Join Democracy for America and Progressive Change Campaign Committee to phone bank from home. Sign up for volunteer shifts running through Tuesday, August 9th.

Phonebank and Canvass for David Weprin

This Thursday, August 11, there will be a phonebank on behalf of David Weprin, who is running as a Democrat for the seat in the U.S. House of Representatives recently vacated by Anthony Weiner. Also, please canvass for David this Sunday, August 14. The race is expected to be close.

Phonebank:

Date: Thursday, August 11th
Time: 6:00pm-8:30pm
Address: 72-50 Austin St, Forest Hills
RSVP: Anne Stonehill at astonehill12@nyc.rr.com, 917-612-0597

Canvass:

Date: Sunday, August 14
Time: 1:00pm
Address: 72-50 Austin St, Forest Hills
RSVP: Chris Mendoza, Volunteer Coordinator, at weprinvolunteer@gmail.com, 718-807-8886

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence

Not to be outdone in the GOP’s ongoing foolishness sweepstakes, Senator John Thune of South Dakota has pledged to introduce a bill in the Senate forcing all 50 states to honor concealed handgun permits from every other state. Needless to say, this would greatly increase the dangers faced by police across the country and would create a great opportunity for interstate gun traffickers.

The vote, expected soon after Labor Day, will be very close this year (it was defeated in 2009 by only 2 votes, and there are more Republicans in the Senate now). Join New Yorkers Against Gun Violence in supporting this effort.

Here’s what you can do:

Stage Manager/Rally Planner Needed

New York Neighbors Coalition is planning events to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, including a rally at Church Street and Park Place. They need an experienced stage manager and/or rally planner.

If you know someone who fits the bill, please contact Aliya Quraishi at aliya.quraishi@gmail.com.