Call To Action
Plan your financial contributions to candidates who will preserve democracy, protect choice and defeat Trump and his army of imitators. Do it now!
National Politics and Local Politics Demand Our Attention Starting NOW
As subscribers to MyWeeklyResistance, you know the stakes in the November election. Take your pick…the survival of our core democratic principles; protecting reproductive rights as well as the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Social Security; resisting Putin and Xi’s aggressions; avoiding an environmental apocalypse; promoting a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
It may seem hyperbolic, but everything is up for grabs this year! Sitting it out is not an option - it is surrender!
You fight the battle with the soldiers you have, not the ones you wish you had. Every vote that is NOT cast for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and rest of the Democratic ticket is a vote for Trump and the misogynistic, anti-choice, anti-gay, anti-Medicare, pro-Putin future. It doesn’t matter whether a vote is lost by abstention or because of the erroneous notion that a protest vote sends a message to politicians - it is a vote for Trump, his minions, and their cruel vision of America. We must all choose! We must make sure everyone we know votes and we must do whatever we can to increase turnout everywhere!
Let’s do this, friends. Together we can turn November into a day of celebration.
Money Matters
There are two basic resources each of us brings to election work: money and time. In future issues we will offer specific recommendations of where to allocate your time and energy. Today we are beginning with the essential element of every campaign - money.
Progressives have long objected to the outsized power wielded by wealthy donors and corporations, but that is beside the point. We don’t have to raise the most money, but we do have to feed the campaigns of our candidates. They need money to hire staff, organize events and get the message out. In campaigns, money makes a difference!
Here’s how to do your part:
First, decide how much money you will spend in campaign donations over the next 7 months. Think of what’s comfortable for you and then add 25% – 50% more. We need to dig as deep as we can.
Second, we strongly recommend that you make a monthly contribution to each of your candidates. These regular donations give the recipients the ability to plan over the course of the campaign. You can donate as little as $1/month but give something every month. Every donation site has a monthly donations option. Please use it!
Almost all of our preferred candidates and issues committees are found on Act Blue. By using this platform, you have an easy way of keeping track of your donations and you can just as easily cancel your monthly donations on November 6 when the election is over.
Supporting Democratic candidates
Presidential Race
Joe Biden/Kamala Harris have a big war chest right now and there are lots of wealthy donors on their side. Nonetheless, small regular donations from tens of thousands of voters add up. They help remind the candidates who they are fighting for. We can’t sit this one out.
Keeping the Senate
The Senate electoral map is tough for Democrats this year. Three crucial races are current toss ups. Pick one to support or spread your Senate donations among all three. They all need the money; Sherrod Brown most of all.
Jon Tester (D) running for reelection in Montana
Sherrod Brown (D) running for reelection in Ohio
Ruben Gallego (D) is running for Krysten Sinema’s seat in Arizona
Other important Senate races are leaning Democratic but still in play. If you have ties to any of these states, put your money where your heart is:
Michigan – the Democratic candidate is not yet chosen
Nevada – reelect Jacky Rosen (D)
Pennsylvania – reelect Bob Casey (D)
Wisconsin – reelect Tammy Baldwin (D)
Take Back the House! OMG! We all know why.
If you live in a state where House seats are in play, give to your local Democratic candidates!
If you live in a Blue State where Democrats are safe, choose one of the following options to help elect Democrats elsewhere:
Swing Left identifies close races where Democrats have a chance and funnels your money directly to them.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is now closely tied to Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader. Finally, it is an organization we can endorse. They also direct money where it is most likely to make a difference.
Down Ballot Races in your home state
Study the races for your home state legislature and pick ones you want to support. Don’t forget to pay attention to school board races, county commissioners, local city councils, library commissions, etc.
The Republicans and the extreme right have been focusing on these races for years and because of years of work, they now have a strong grip on local institutions, especially school boards. We need to elect progressive, humanistic candidates in every race.