Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The results are in ...


After President Obama's State of the Union address, tune in for a live progressive response anchored by Ben Wikler of the MoveOn-powered podcast The Good Fight and the AFL-CIO's Thea Lee, featuring guest commentators from leading progressive and labor groups and responding to your comments and questions (tweet at us with the hashtag #SOTUnion). Streaming provided by We Act Radio. Don't miss it!

Click Here to Watch!

Click here to see the full results of the 2014 MoveOn Member Priorities Survey.
Dear MoveOn member,

We've just finished tallying up the results from the Official 2014 Member Priorities Survey—and wanted to make sure you were among the first to see them. 

This year, MoveOn members will lead thousands of powerful campaigns, from our local city halls to the halls of Congress. And as a national MoveOn community, we'll pick a small number of high-priority campaigns where we pool our resources and focus to make the biggest impact.

Here are the top national priorities MoveOn members identified for 2014, out of dozens of worthwhile options, in priority order:
 
1. Work to overturn Citizens United and get money out of our politics.

2. Pass a new Voting Rights Act and stop voter suppression in the states.

3. Prevent war with Iran.

4. Raise the minimum wage (federally or locally).

5. Work to defend and expand Social Security benefits.

6. Fight against fracking and other polluting industries.

7. Fully implement Obamacare.
 
Members also overwhelmingly said we should use this as a guide, but have the flexibility to shift and be responsive to opportunities as they emerge.


It's an ambitious agenda, but if there's any community of folks who can make progress on all those fronts, it's MoveOn members. In the first few weeks of 2014, we've hit the ground running.
  • We marked the four-year anniversary of Citizens United by co-hosting a movement-wide virtual teach-in, building support for the soon-to-be-introduced Government by the People Act, and getting ready to respond to the Supreme Court's pending McCutcheon ruling (which could open the floodgates for even more millionaires and billionaires to corrupt our political system with out-of-control spending on elections). 
  • MoveOn members have launched campaigns in every congressional district in America to improve and pass the new Voting Rights Act—and are gearing up for nationally coordinated action.
  • And we've already made a difference in helping ease the standoff with Iran. More than 150,000 members have taken action by signing petitions, making over 10,000 phone calls, and descending on decision makers in person—calling for Senate Democrats to support, not undermine, the Obama Administration's efforts at diplomacy.1
But we're just getting started. 

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and helping to shape the direction of this extraordinary community. As you're watching President Obama's State of the Union address tonight, be sure to watch how well it lines up with our shared priorities, then join us for a discussion of what you thought on a live edition of The Good Fight right after the speech

Thanks for all you do.

Anna, Stefanie, Ilya, Matt B., and the rest of the team

Source:

1. "Support for new Iran sanctions wanes," MSNBC, January 17, 2014

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 28, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Re: *** Official 2014 Membership Survey ***

Dear MoveOn member,

We're putting the finishing touches on our Official 2014 Member Priorities report, and we're still missing an important voice—-yours. 

Are you more focused on taking back the House or defending the Senate in 2014? Do you have a favorite presidential candidate in 2016? What's your top priority issue that you want to organize on this year? 

We'll be tallying the results on Monday at 12 p.m. Eastern in order to report back our priorities ahead of Tuesday's State of the Union address.

Will you take three minutes to fill out this important member survey? Click here:

Take Survey

After we get all the responses, we'll put together a report on MoveOn members' priorities and share a copy of it with the White House, congressional leaders, and the media before the State of the Union address—so they know what progressives are focused on as we kick off 2014. 

Of course, every MoveOn member will get a copy as well. 


Thanks for all you do.

Ilya, Eric, Maria, Matt B., and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 25, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Stunning turnaround on Iran




Below is an email from Sara Haghdoosti, a MoveOn member in New York and co-founder of Berim.org. Sara's MoveOn.org petition has more than 147,000 signatures calling on Congress not to undermine President Obama's diplomatic negotiations with Iran. Lots of MoveOn.org members have taken action in this effort, and we thought you'd be interested in her update on this important campaign.

Dear MoveOn member,

A few weeks ago, we were looking at the prospect of Senator Menendez's sanctions bill getting a veto-proof majority in the Senate and torpedoing the president's negotiations with Iran. 

Then things changed. Check out the headlines from the past two weeks:

Previous Iran Sanctions Co-sponsor won't back new sanctions now
National Journal, January 16

Support for new Iran sanctions wanes
—MSNBC, January 17

Another blow to the Iran sanctions bill
–Washington Post, January 22

How did this turnaround happen? As one Senate staffer said: "more voters contacting the Hill with phone calls and emails, voicing opposition to the bill."*

In other words, we made this happen. Over the past few weeks since this legislation was announced, over 150,000 people have taken action, we've made over 10,000 phone calls, and we've had petition deliveries all across the country.

What we're doing is working, and that's exactly why we can't let up now. What we've achieved over the past few weeks is proof that not only can we fight back against war, we can help create the space for politicians to become champions for diplomacy.

Now is the time for us to turn supporters into champions and the undecided into supporters. That's why over the next few weeks I'll be in touch about things you can do in your local area. 

Today, I just wanted to say "Congratulations!" I've never seen a political turnaround like this. We may not have money or fancy lobbyists, but what we do have is each other. The power we have when we stand alongside each other is truly inspiring.

Yours with hope, 

–Sara Haghdoosti, on behalf of Berim.org 

*MSNBC, "Support for new Iran sanctions wanes," Steve Benen, January 17, 2014


P.S. The interim deal with Iran went into effect last week. Here's a snapshot from our infographic about the deal. Click here to check out the full graphic and share it with your friends and family so we can get more people informed, excited, and bring them into our movement.

graphic

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 25, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, January 24, 2014

following up

Hi there—

It looks like you started to fill out the Official 2014 Membership Survey, but didn't get a chance to submit your responses. 

It's really important to hear from as many MoveOn members as possible as we figure out how to pool our resources for the year ahead. Will you take three minutes to fill this out? 


Thanks!

–Anna

Dear MoveOn member,

Next Tuesday, President Obama will deliver his annual State of the Union address—and the whole country will be thinking, at least for a moment, about what's possible in 2014.

Imagine you were at the podium. What are YOUR priorities for changing your community and our country as a whole in 2014? Click here

There are tons of issues and opportunities to choose from—including big, upcoming congressional elections; state and local fights on everything from fracking to paid sick leave; and national discussions of a minimum wage increase, diplomacy with Iran, implementation of Obamacare, international trade deals, and more.

This year, MoveOn members will launch and run thousands of powerful campaigns, from their local city halls to the halls of Congress. And as a national MoveOn community, we'll pick a small number of high-priority campaigns where we pool our resources and focus to make the biggest impact.

So we've put together this Official 2014 Membership Survey to get a better idea of where MoveOn members stand, plan our next steps together, and help connect you to the campaigns you care about most.

Will you take three minutes to fill out this important member survey? Click here:

Take Survey

After we get all the responses, we'll put together a report on MoveOn members' priorities and share a copy of it with the White House, congressional leaders, and the media before the State of the Union address—so they know what progressives are focused on as we kick off 2014. 

Of course, every MoveOn member will get a copy as well. 


Thanks for all you do.

–Anna, Linda, Nick, Matt P., and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 24, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

*** Official 2014 Membership Survey ***

Dear MoveOn member,

Next Tuesday, President Obama will deliver his annual State of the Union address—and the whole country will be thinking, at least for a moment, about what's possible in 2014.

Imagine you were at the podium. What are YOUR priorities for changing your community and our country as a whole in 2014? Click here

There are tons of issues and opportunities to choose from—including big, upcoming congressional elections; state and local fights on everything from fracking to paid sick leave; and national discussions of a minimum wage increase, diplomacy with Iran, implementation of Obamacare, international trade deals, and more.

This year, MoveOn members will launch and run thousands of powerful campaigns, from their local city halls to the halls of Congress. And as a national MoveOn community, we'll pick a small number of high-priority campaigns where we pool our resources and focus to make the biggest impact.

So we've put together this Official 2014 Membership Survey to get a better idea of where MoveOn members stand, plan our next steps together, and help connect you to the campaigns you care about most.

Will you take three minutes to fill out this important member survey? Click here:

Take Survey

After we get all the responses, we'll put together a report on MoveOn members' priorities and share a copy of it with the White House, congressional leaders, and the media before the State of the Union address—so they know what progressives are focused on as we kick off 2014. 

Of course, every MoveOn member will get a copy as well. 


Thanks for all you do.

–Anna, Linda, Nick, Matt P., and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 23, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Recap: Your Grassroots Democracy Virtual Teach-In

Dear MoveOn member,

Thanks so much for signing up to participate in last night's virtual teach-in on our growing democracy movement. Thousands of us joined together on the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision to talk about real solutions that we can win together.  

During the teach-in we discussed a lot of ideas and actions—and this email recaps all the key actions that we can take together right now:

1) If you missed the teach-in, or want a recap, don't worry! Click here to view the teach-in, and share it with your friends and family: http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=296364&id=87452-10220574-nsTwBjx&t=1

2) Sign the petition calling on members of Congress to co-sponsor the Government by the People Act—and then share it with your friends: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/help-create-government?id=87452-10220574-nsTwBjx&t=2

3) Get ready for an important day of action when the Supreme Court issues its ruling on McCutcheon v. FEC. If it's a bad ruling, we'll need to stand together. Go to http://www.moneyout-votersin.org to sign up to host or attend a rally with our friends at People for the American Way and Public Citizen.

On the call, we heard from Representative John Sarbanes about his not-yet-introduced Government by the People Act, and about the work that we all can do together to call on Congress to pass this common-sense legislation. We also heard about huge steps forward in New York's public financing campaign, which is truly the result of a grassroots movement effort that MoveOn members have been part of all the way.  

Leaders of the democracy movement shared their insights into the many efforts that are underway nationwide—including resolutions and state legislative actions to pass a constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United, and important campaigns to make sure corporations have to disclose their political spending. We also talked about the impact of money in politics on the environment, workers, and communities of color.

Crucially, we discussed the need for all of us to be ready to respond to an upcoming Supreme Court ruling in McCutcheon v. FEC—it could come out any day, and if it's a bad ruling for democracy, we need to stand up together. Our allies at People for the American Way and Public Citizen are organizing activists nationwide to be ready for rapid response the day of the ruling—and we know that MoveOn members like you are pros at this kind of powerful organizing. Go to http://www.moneyout-votersin.org to sign up to host or attend a rally.

Together, we'll continue this fight to fix our broken democracy until we win.

Thanks for all you do.

–Mark, Rosy, Alex, Matt B., and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 22, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Tonight: Your Grassroots Democracy Virtual Teach-In

Grassroots Democracy Virtual Teach-in
Dear MoveOn member,

Just a reminder that the Grassroots Democracy Virtual Teach-In is tonight at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT!

More than 3,000 MoveOn members have RSVP'd for tonight's live Google Hangout, and our panelists are excited to have an open conversation, that includes the viewers, about getting rid of the corrupting influence of money in politics.

Here are the details for your event:

Where: http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=296219&id=87247-10220574-zbtTVkx&t=2 (This will go live a few minutes before start time.)

When: Tonight! 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. MT / 5 p.m. PT

What: A live Google Hangout on money in politics with leaders from Demos, Sierra Club, NAACP, and Communications Workers of America discussing some immediate ways grassroots activists like you can have an impact on cleaning up our democracy.

A few final reminders before the event:

  • Participate online: Join in the conversation on Twitter tonight using the hashtag #CU4. We'll be searching for the best comments and questions to bring to our panelists for discussion.
  • Come ready to learn, share, take action—and have fun.

Thanks for all you do.

–Mark, Eric, Linda, Matt P., and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 21, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Tuesday: A special treat for Citizens United

 
☆YOU'RE INVITED!☆
Grassroots Democracy: A Virtual Teach-In on the Citizens United Anniversary

Host: MoveOn.org, Demos
& The Democracy Initiative 

Where: On our homepage at www.MoveOn.org

When: Tuesday, January 21
8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. MT / 5 p.m. PT

What: On the anniversary of Citizens United, in a live broadcast you can watch at MoveOn.org—with nothing to download or install—we'll watch leaders from Demos, Sierra Club, NAACP, and Communications Workers of America discuss some immediate ways grassroots activists can have an impact on cleaning up our democracy. And we'll give MoveOn members a chance to join the conversation by posing questions for the panelists on Twitter.

Can you join us on Tuesday?

Grassroots Democracy
 

 

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 19, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Breaking: Eight votes shy

Below is an email from Sara Haghdoosti, a MoveOn member in New York and founder of Berim.org. Sara's MoveOn.org petition has more than 146,000 signatures calling on Congress not to undermine President Obama's diplomatic negotiations with Iran. With momentum for the dangerous Menendez sanctions legislation that could lead to war growing, MoveOn members have been flooding Congress with calls. Will you join them? 


URGENT: Can you call Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer? Tell them: "I'm calling to urge you to publicly support President Obama's diplomacy with Iran and oppose the Menendez sanctions legislation that would undermine negotiations."  

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: (202) 224-4451

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: (202) 224-6542

Report Your Call!

Dear MoveOn member,

Pro-war senators—many of whom voted to support the march to war in Iraq—are just eight co-sponsors shy of having enough votes to override a promised presidential veto of their dangerous new Iran sanctions legislation—a bill that could torpedo President Obama's diplomatic negotiations. In the words of Bernadette Meehan, National Security Council spokeswoman for the White House: "If certain members of Congress want the United States to take military action, they should be up-front with the American public and say so."1

We can turn this around if we act now. We know our voices make a huge difference in foreign policy—we saw the impact we had in preventing military action against Syria, as well as in creating the political space for President Obama to meet with the president of Iran. Pro-war lobby groups are doing all that they can to make sure their voices are heard—it's up to us to make sure they aren't the only voices in this debate. 

Will you call your senators' offices today and make sure that they know their constituents oppose new sanctions on Iran that would put us on the path to another senseless conflict in the Middle East?

Yes, I'll call:

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: (202) 224-4451

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: (202) 224-6542

Let us know how it went here.

Never done something like this before? Don't worry, we'll take you through step by step. First scroll down to the bottom of this email to see if your senator has co-sponsored the bill.

If your senator has co-sponsored the bill, you can say something like:

Hi, my name is <name> and I'm a constituent of yours. How are you? Great. I'm calling because I'm <add a line about who you are—i.e., a grandmother, a veteran, Iranian-American> and I'm disappointed that you've supported increasing sanctions on Iran at this time. I believe this move undermines diplomatic negotiations and could lead to another conflict in the Middle East. I urge you to reconsider your support for the Menendez legislation and support President Obama's diplomacy with Iran.

If they haven't co-sponsored the bill, you might like to say:

Hi, my name is <name> and I'm a constituent of yours. How are you? Great. I'm calling because I'm <add a line about who you are i.e., a grandmother, a veteran, Iranian-American> and I'm worried about the proposed Menendez legislation that would increase sanctions on Iran and take us down a path that could lead to military action. I wanted to urge your office to publicly support President Obama's diplomacy with Iran and oppose any new sanctions that would undermine negotiations.

You don't have to use the script word for word—feel free to say things in your own voice. You can pick which of your senators you'd like to call, or even better, call both.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: (202) 224-4451

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: (202) 224-6542

Let us know how it went here.

Even if your senators have come out against the bill or are progressive champions, it's crucial that they hear from you. Why? Because they are under huge pressure from pro-war lobby groups to change their stance.

What if your senator is already a co-sponsor? They need to hear from you too. Just because someone has co-sponsored this bill doesn't mean that they're pushing for it to come to a vote. If they get enough pushback from their constituents, they may ask Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to help ensure that the bill doesn't ever reach the floor. Below are a list of all the Senators who have cosponsored the bill.

I know it's tempting to press the back button thinking you'll come back to this later—but chances are you won't. Please take five minutes and make the call now, because it's the most effective thing you can do to help promote diplomacy and keep us off the path of war.

Thank you for all you do.

Sara Haghdoosti, on behalf of Berim.org

P.S. Here is a list of senators (43 Republicans and 16 Democrats total) who have co-sponsored Menendez's bill to increase sanctions on Iran and undermine diplomacy. Remember to let us know how it went here. 

Alexander, Lamar [R-TN]

Ayotte, Kelly [R-NH]

Barrasso, John [R-WY]

Begich, Mark [D-AK]

Bennet, Michael [D-CO]

Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Blunt, Roy [R-MO]

Booker, Cory [D-NJ]

Boozman, John [R-AR]

Burr, Richard [R-NC]

Cardin, Benjamin [D-MD]

Casey, Robert "Bob" [D-PA]

Chambliss, Saxby [R-GA]

Coats, Daniel [R-IN]

Coburn, Thomas [R-OK]

Cochran, Thad [R-MS]

Collins, Susan [R-ME]

Coons, Chris [D-DE]

Corker, Bob [R-TN]

Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Crapo, Michael [R-ID]

Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

Donnelly, Joe [D-IN]

Enzi, Michael [R-WY]

Fischer, Deb [R-NE]

Gillibrand, Kirsten [D-NY]

Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]

Grassley, Charles "Chuck" [R-IA]

Hagan, Kay [D-NC]

Hatch, Orrin [R-UT]

Heller, Dean [R-NV]

Hoeven, John [R-ND]

Inhofe, James "Jim" [R-OK]

Isakson, John "Johnny" [R-GA]

Johanns, Mike [R-NE]

Johnson, Ron [R-WI]

Kirk, Mark [R-IL]

Landrieu, Mary [D-LA]

Lee, Mike [R-UT]

Manchin, Joe [D-WV]

McCain, John [R-AZ]

McConnell, Mitch [R-KY]

Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

Portman, Robert "Rob" [R-OH]

Pryor, Mark [D-AR]

Risch, James [R-ID]

Roberts, Pat [R-KS]

Rubio, Marco [R-FL]

Schumer, Charles [D-NY]

Scott, Tim [R-SC]

Sessions, Jefferson "Jeff" [R-AL]

Shelby, Richard [R-AL]

Thune, John [R-SD]

Toomey, Patrick "Pat" [R-PA]

Vitter, David [R-LA]

Warner, Mark [D-VA]

Wicker, Roger [R-MS]

 
Source:
1. "White House Dares Democratic Senators Pushing Iran Sanctions To Admit They Want War," Huffington Post, Jan 10, 2014.

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 15, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Next Tuesday: Citizens United anniversary

The fight to get big money out of our politics is ramping up again with new federal legislation for public financing and another damaging Supreme Court decision both expected any day. Will you tune in on Tuesday, January 21, the anniversary of Citizens United, at 8 p.m. ET to discuss next steps in the movement to get money out of politics? 

RSVP for the teach-in

Dear MoveOn member,

Citizens United—that devastating Supreme Court decision that allowed more than $600 million to be spent by Super PACs in the 2012 elections alone—turns four next Tuesday.1

We've got a great opportunity this year to build the movement against money in politics—and we want to kick it off with you next week in a virtual teach-in with allies from across the movement. We'll be joined by a member of Congress who'll fill you in on a new public financing bill—before it's even introduced.  And you'll have a front-row seat, because you're what's fueling the movement to get corporate money out of our democracy.

Can you join our virtual teach-in to hear from some of the leading voices protecting our democracy from the corrupting influence of money next Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET?

Click here to automatically RSVP, and we'll send you a reminder message next Tuesday before the teach-in begins.

In a live broadcast you can watch at MoveOn.org—with nothing to download or install—we'll watch leaders from the Sierra Club, NAACP, and Communications Workers of America discuss some immediate ways grassroots activists can have an impact on cleaning up our democracy. And we'll give MoveOn members a chance to join the conversation by posing questions for the panelists on Twitter.

2014 could be another big year in money in politics—both for better and for worse:

  • Last year wrapped with 16 states having passed resolutions calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United—and with radical efforts like the New Hampshire Rebellion and leaders like Senator Al Franken taking up the issue, this year could move us even closer to a binding amendment.2
     
  • The House Democratic caucus is expected to rally behind a landmark public financing bill being introduced next month—the one you'll get a sneak peak of—and we'll need to get shaky Democrats and reasonable Republicans alike to sign on.   
     
  • But in bad news, the Supreme Court may strike down even more limits on political contributions in the McCutcheon case—and we have to be ready to sound off about another injustice of this conservative court's judicial activism.

The project to take back our democracy from special interests—and our own Supreme Court—won't be easy, but we can make real strides in 2014.

The anniversary of Citizens United is a perfect time to take stock of where we are, dig in on what it'll take to get us closer to our goal, and get to work again to get money out of politics.

Click here to automatically RSVP for the Grassroots Democracy Virtual Teach-In.

Thanks for all you do.

–Mark, Manny, Linda, Kyle, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "2012 Outside Spending, by Super PAC," OpenSecrets.org, accessed on January 13, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=296113&id=86263-10220574-nj4kM7x&t=4

2. "8 Ways to Help Overturn Citizens United," The Huffington Post, January 13, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=296117&id=86263-10220574-nj4kM7x&t=5

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 14, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Does the polar vortex disprove climate change? Yeah right.

Dear MoveOn member,

It's freezing out! Literally. And the frigid weather most of the country is facing—with windchills still as low as minus 50 degrees F in some places—has brought out the climate deniers yet again.

The cold weather we're experiencing is originating in the polar vortex—a whirlwind of Arctic air in which temperatures drop when the North Pole is pointed away from the sun.1 The Arctic is actually warming twice as fast as much of the Earth, and the jet streams that trap its frigid air are weakening. Cold snaps like the one we're experiencing are a normal part of winter weather—and some climate scientists think the melting Arctic is actually making this sort of "polar vortex" event more likely.2

But while the vortex science may sound complicated, one thing is crystal clear: global warming is very real—and hugely dangerous. That's why we've partnered with our friends at Forecast the Facts to give members the proof they need to counter Fox News' climate change-denying talking points.

Can you share our graphic today so your friends know how climate change deniers' claims are full of hot air?

Forecast the Facts: Climate Deniers are Full of Hot Air

After you share the graphic, sign Forecast the Facts' petition demanding that The New York Times follow the lead of The Los Angeles Times and stop publishing the letters of climate deniers.

Click here to share the image with your friends (or just forward this email).

Thanks for all you do.

–Victoria, Nick, Bobby, Mariana, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Arctic Amplification," NASA Earth Observatory, May 26, 2013
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=81214

2. "Record Highs vs. Record Lows," Climate Central, July 10, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=296013&id=85416-10220574-_wbsd4x&t=4

"'Highly significant' heatwave smashes Australian records," The Sydney Morning Herald, January 6, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=296014&id=85416-10220574-_wbsd4x&t=5

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 8, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Put an end to Citizens United once and for all!

Dear MoveOn member,

I'm U.S. Senator Al Franken, and I started a petition to the United States Congress and President Barack Obama, which says:

We, the undersigned, have had it. Corporations are not people. Elections should not be auctions. And we refuse to let our democracy be put up for sale. 

We are standing together to call for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.

Citizens United was a disaster. It opened the floodgates for corporations to write big checks to fund right-wing special-interest attacks, helping them pour $719 million into the 2012 elections. 

The question is, what are we going to do about it? How are we going to stuff this "corporations are people, elections are auctions, democracy is for sale" mess into the Dumpster of Bad Ideas? 

Here's how: A constitutional amendment that puts power back in the hands of the people. The actual, human people. 

Click here to sign my petition and join me in calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, and then pass it along to your friends.

Thanks!

–Senator Al Franken

This petition was started by Senator Al Franken on MoveOn Petitions Political Action Edition, which is licensed to and paid for by MoveOn.org Political Action. Senator Al Franken didn't pay us to send this email—we never rent or sell the MoveOn.org list.

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 7, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

You've got to hear this nun

Dear MoveOn member,

If you're glad that Obamacare is finally here—that millions of Americans are, at last, covered by health insurance—then you'll love this podcast.

It tells the inside story of the final battle to pass the bill, in the final week before the final vote. But it's not a story about politicians. It's a story about an unlikely group of heroes who saved the day: Catholic nuns. And it will bring a smile to your face.

Click here to listen to the podcast on iTunes—and if you like it, subscribe and post a review!

The Good Fight with Ben Wikler

Or you can listen on our website here, or on Stitcher, or subscribe via RSS.

You may have seen the headlines about the Catholic nuns suing over contraception coverage in Obamacare. The case just reached the Supreme Court. And it would be easy to look at that story and conclude that nuns in general are opposing the most significant piece of progressive legislation in decades.

But that would be exactly the wrong conclusion.

Sister Simone Campbell—one of the most charming, utterly down-to-earth, and profoundly committed people I've ever met—explains why. And in the process, she tells her own fascinating story, from an anti-segregation sit-in where, as a teenager, she decided to take her vows, all the way to the present and her delight in the joyous tone set by Pope Francis.

You've got to hear her voice. Listen in to "The Good Fight" on iTunes, and be sure to subscribe if you want to hear more!

(Or check out the episode on our website.)

Sister Simone's story is a piece of recent history that we'd do well to remember. It punctures the myth, so often pushed by Republicans, that faith leaders are necessarily conservative. In fact, for Sister Simone and so many others, a commitment to social justice is linked inextricably with faith.

Whatever happens to this Supreme Court case, I'll always be thankful to America's nuns for what they did on health care. And once you hear this story, you will be too.

Thanks for all you do.

Warmly,

–Ben

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 5, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Save the Endangered Species Act

Dear MoveOn member,

I'm Marjorie Mulhall of the organization Earthjustice and I started a petition to the United States Congress, which says:

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is one of our nation's most effective and important environmental laws. Passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, the ESA represents a commitment by the American people to work together to protect and restore our most vulnerable fellow species.

Please OPPOSE all efforts to weaken the Endangered Species Act including bill S. 1731/H.R. 3533, which would harm imperiled species by:

  • Automatically removing them from the lists of endangered and threatened species after five years, whether or not they've recovered.
  • Letting politics win over science by requiring that state governors give their consent before species in their states can be listed under the ESA, and requiring a joint resolution of Congress to approve the listing of species as threatened or endangered.
  • Undermining citizens' ability to enforce the ESA in court and to help protect imperiled species by filing citizen listing petitions.

December 28th, 2013 marked the 40th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, one of the world's strongest and most effective wildlife protection laws.

Unfortunately, just at this time when we celebrate four decades of success with the ESA, a bill that could rightly be called the "Extinction Act" has been introduced by anti-environment lawmakers in the House and Senate. This bill would gut the ESA and put imperiled species at greater risk.

Tell Congress not to weaken the Endangered Species Act.

This bill would harm imperiled species by automatically removing them from the lists of endangered and threatened species after five years, whether or not they've recovered. It would let politics win over science by requiring that state governors give their consent before species in their states can be listed under the ESA, and require a joint resolution of Congress to approve the listing of species as threatened or endangered. 

Please join me in demanding that our representatives in Congress protect the Endangered Species Act from this dangerous bill.

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

Thanks!

–Marjorie Mulhall

This petition was created on MoveOn's online petition site, where anyone can start their own online petitions. Earthjustice didn't pay us to send this email—we never rent or sell the MoveOn.org list.

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on January 3, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.