Monday, August 31, 2015

New Yorkers: Sign Sen. Schumer's "yearbook" to say #NoWarWithIran

Dear New York MoveOn member,

The SchumerMobile hits New York City streets today
.1 Pictured below, it began its journey just in front of Senator Charles Schumer's Manhattan office, as one hundred MoveOn members chanted "No war with Iran" and called on Congress to support the Iran nuclear deal.

The SchumerMobile is a MoveOn member-funded, weeklong public rebuke of Sen. Schumer's opposition to the Iran deal in the form of a mobile billboard that will crisscross Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.2

The billboard text suggests that Sen. Schumer's actions to undermine the historic diplomatic agreement with Iran have won him the ignominious title of "Most Likely to Start a War." The text also serves as a reminder of the stark consequences we'll face if New York's Democratic lawmakers join with congressional Republicans to wreck the Iran nuclear deal.

To make certain all New York MoveOn members have an opportunity to hold Sen. Schumer accountable and send a powerful message to yet-undecided Democrats, we've created a "yearbook" page for Sen. Schumer.

Will you add your name to our "yearbook" message for Sen. Schumer right now? 

Most likely to take us to war

As one of only two Senate Democrats opposed to the Iran nuclear deal to date, Sen. Schumer is standing with Donald Trump, Dick Cheney, and Republicans in Congress—and against President Obama and the strong majority of Democrats in the Senate. (Let's not forget that Sen. Schumer wants to be the next leader of Senate Democrats.)

By signing Sen. Schumer's "yearbook," you're not only sending the senior Senator from New York a powerful message, you're letting all yet-undecided Democrats see a bit of what they can expect from MoveOn members should they choose war over diplomacy.

Will you take a moment now to note your support for Iran diplomacy?

This latest rebuke of Sen. Schumer's anti-diplomacy stance is an extension of the efforts of more than 180,000 MoveOn members who have pledged to withhold approximately $43 million in political campaign contributions from Sen. Schumer and individual Democrats (and the party committees that support them) if they succeed in sabotaging diplomacy.

MoveOn members remain passionate defenders of this breakthrough agreement for peace and security—taking to the streets in hundreds of actions during the August recess. We're in the home stretch of this work and every petition signature matters as Congress prepares to return to Washington, D.C. and vote on the deal.

Let's help ensure that the SchumerMobile drives Sen. Schumer back to Washington, D.C. with an unmistakable mandate from New York constituents—so clear that it serves as a cautionary tale to anyone considering joining the Senator by opposing diplomacy.

Thanks for all you do.

–Jo, Bobby, Ben O., Corinne, and the rest of the team 

Sources:

1. "MoveOn to target Chuck Schumer for opposing Obama's Iran deal," Politico, August 28, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=306643&id=131310-10220574-pGErLQx&t=4

2. "MoveOn Launches The 'SchumerMobile' To Shame Senator For Opposing Iran Deal," The Huffington Post, August 31, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=306677&id=131310-10220574-pGErLQx&t=5

 

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift 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 August 31, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

They. Defunded. Planned. Parenthood.

Five states have defunded Planned Parenthood. At least eleven states are considering similar cuts or have launched investigations to attack Planned Parenthood.
Dear MoveOn member,

In just two weeks, five states—Utah, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Alabama—defunded Planned Parenthood.1

At least eleven states are considering similar cuts or have launched investigations to attack Planned Parenthood.2

And as soon as Congress reconvenes, anti-choice Republicans will resume pushing legislation to cut off Planned Parenthood nationwide, perhaps even threatening a government shutdown.3

This is an all-out assault on Planned Parenthood—so we've launched a major campaign to turn the tide before this vital women's health resource is completely decimated.

But since no one knew these sneak attacks were coming, we didn't budget for this fight. Will you chip in $3 to help MoveOn stand with Planned Parenthood?

Yes, I'll chip in to help stand with Planned Parenthood.

Anti-choice activists have been campaigning to defund Planned Parenthood for years.

In 2011 alone, the anti-choice group Susan B. Anthony List bragged that they'd cut over $61 million in funding for Pap smears, cancer screenings, and other basic health services at Planned Parenthood.4

But since the release of those heavily edited videos recorded by anti-choice militants who are linked to clinic bombings and shootings, Planned Parenthood is under attack like never before.5

Here's our plan to fight back:

  • We'll team up with Planned Parenthood for a nationwide "Pink Out" day of action in late September to get everyone wearing pink in support of Planned Parenthood.
  • We'll hold pro-choice lawmakers who flip their votes against Planned Parenthood accountable with hard-hitting ads, phone calls, and protests in front of their offices.
  • We'll focus attention on real Planned Parenthood patients by featuring them in Facebook ads and as petition leaders.

But all this will cost money—so if you've ever visited a Planned Parenthood, know anyone who's ever visited a Planned Parenthood, or have a child or loved one who might ever need Planned Parenthood—now's the time to stand up and fight.

Will you chip in $3 to help MoveOn stand with Planned Parenthood?

Click here to chip in and help stand with Planned Parenthood.

Thanks for all you do.

–Victoria, Nick, Brian, Maria, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Arkansas, Utah target Planned Parenthood funding," The Hill, August 14, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306598&id=131186-10220574-93U3Wox&t=1

2. "Growing List Of Planned Parenthood Investigations Hyped By Conservative Media Clears Organization Of Any Wrongdoing," Media Matters for America, August 24, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306595&id=131186-10220574-93U3Wox&t=3

3. "GOP: Planned Parenthood fight to go on," Politico, August 3, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306596&id=131186-10220574-93U3Wox&t=4

4. "State by State Scoreboard—2011," Susan B. Anthony List, accessed August 26, 2015
http://www.sba-list.org/PPScoreboard

5. "The man behind the Planned Parenthood sting videos," Politico, August 26, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306597&id=131186-10220574-93U3Wox&t=5

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift 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 August 30, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Planned Parenthood: Sign the emergency petition

I started an emergency petition demanding that Congress not cut a dime in federal funding for breast cancer screenings, Pap smears, and other preventive health care at Planned Parenthood health clinics.

Dear fellow MoveOn member,

I started an emergency petition demanding that Congress not cut a dime in federal funding for breast cancer screenings, Pap smears, and other preventive health care at Planned Parenthood health clinics.

Can you join me in standing with Planned Parenthood? Click here to sign the petition, and then pass it on to your friends.

The petition to Congress says:

STOP the war on women and Planned Parenthood. Don't cut a dime in federal funding for Planned Parenthood.

This is serious. Five states have eliminated funding for Planned Parenthood, and 11 states have launched investigations into the organization so far this month—while Congress wasn't even in session.1

Congress will soon reconvene, and the fight to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood—and even shut down the government over it—will be front and center in Washington.2

Planned Parenthood is a lifeline for millions of women and men across the country, providing cancer screenings, contraception, and basic preventive health care.

Click here to sign the petition and show you stand with Planned Parenthood, and then pass it along to your friends.

Thanks!

–Rep. Diane Russell

Sources:

1. "States Move to Cut Funds for Planned Parenthood," The New York Times, August 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306640&id=131024-10220574-nHBwBjx&t=1

"Growing List Of Planned Parenthood Investigations Hyped By Conservative Media Clears Organization Of Any Wrongdoing," Media Matters for America, August 24, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306595&id=131024-10220574-nHBwBjx&t=2

2. "The Daily 202: The war on Planned Parenthood intensifies, but the group is fighting back in court," The Washington Post, August 26, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306594&id=131024-10220574-nHBwBjx&t=3

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

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift 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 August 29, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, August 28, 2015

We're winning the fight for diplomacy

Dear MoveOn member,

Republican leaders are admitting that they're losing the fight over the diplomatic deal with Iran.1 Despite tens of millions spent by war hawks to sabotage the agreement, more and more Democrats are choosing diplomacy over war.

They have the money. We have the people and the momentum.

We saw that this week, as thousands of MoveOn members and anti-war allies gathered outside more than 200 congressional offices and delivered petitions signed by hundreds of thousands of Americans. Members came together from MoveOn, Americans United for Change, Council for a Livable World, CREDO Action, DailyKos, Democracy for America, Friends Committee on National Legislation, National Iranian American Council, Peace Action, Win Without War, and more.

And this grassroots activism is leading to results: In the past 48 hours, Senator Tom Carper and Representatives Susan Davis, Bonnie Coleman Watson, and Ed Perlmutter have all come out for the deal. Representative Alan Lowenthal announced his decision to support the agreement just in advance of the petition delivery, and he came out to announce it to MoveOn members in person. Representative Scott Peters personally met with MoveOn members on Wednesday, then declared his support a day later.

We're building something together, and the result—a diplomatic resolution to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon—will be historic.


The fight isn't over. When members of Congress return to Washington in just over a week, they'll be deluged with propaganda by the war hawks who want to sabotage this deal.

We'll keep up the pressure—and keep building the momentum for peace. We have just a few weeks to stop a war, but we know that we can do it together.

Thanks for all you do.

Jo, Alejandro, Victoria, Matt, and the rest of the team

Source:

1. "Is the GOP conceding defeat on the nuclear deal with Iran?" CBS News, August 27, 2015

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on August 28, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Should MoveOn support this petition?


Dear MoveOn member,

A MoveOn member named Heather Perrault recently created a petition on our public petition website entitled "Ban Georgia pet stores from selling cats/dogs from commercial breeders (puppy mills)."—and we'd like to know what you think of it.

The petition is addressed to Timothy C. Batten, Sr., United States District Judge, Mark H. Cohen, United States District Judge, Clarence Cooper, United States District Judge, The Georgia State House, The Georgia State Senate, and Governor Nathan Deal, and reads:

TELL OUR LAWMAKERS TO BAN PET STORES FROM SELLING ANIMALS FROM COMMERCIAL BREEDERS (AKA: PUPPY MILLS). ASK THEM TO ENFORCE THE SAME ORDINANCES AS OTHER STATES! PET STORES MUST SELL DOGS AND CATS FROM SHELTERS.

Up to 300,000 animals are euthanized every year in the state of Georgia. 90% are adoptable, but must be killed in order to make room in the already overpopulated shelters, animal control and state funded facilities.

*** The current animal welfare system costs GA taxpayers over $140 million annually, with millions going towards euthanizing healthy cats and dogs. ***

Federal courts in Arizona, Florida, Rhode Island and Illinois have already upheld ordinances to ban pet stores from selling dogs and cats from commercial breeders. Puppy mills are notorious for animal welfare violations, abuse, neglect and horrible living conditions. Read more about Commercial Breeders/Puppy Mills on the GA ASPCA website: http://www.georgiaspca.org/qa-nhes-abuse-pu ppy-mills

TELL OUR LAWMAKERS THAT WE DEMAND ACTION!

***** SIGN AND SHARE! *****

Sign Heather's petition.

Here's what Heather wrote about it:

I am an animal advocate in Atlanta. I rescue, foster and fundraise for animals throughout the state, in addition to volunteering at local shelters. The facilities are overcrowded, poorly managed and regulated, and something needs to change! We need ordinances in place to protect and care for these animals. Other large cities have already taken action, Georgia needs to step up and do the right thing.

Can you click to let us know what you think?

I want to sign this petition.

I don't think MoveOn should support this petition.

We'll decide whether to send this petition out to additional MoveOn members in your area based on your feedback.

In case you haven't heard about it, MoveOn's petition site allows anyone to start an online petition and share it with friends and neighbors to build support for their cause.

Thanks for all you do. 

–Milan, Maria, Manny, Bobby, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on August 27, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Call now: Say "no" war with Iran

Dear MoveOn member,

Today, thousands of MoveOn members and our friends across the progressive and anti-war movements are gathering outside of more than 200 members of Congressional offices across the country for a national day of action with a single message: No War With Iran.

Momentum is on our side. Throughout this August recess, we have out-organized the war hawks. From attendance at local town halls to presence on social media, pro-diplomacy energy has overwhelmed the pro-war forces. As a result, we've seen more and more Democrats get off the fence and come out for the deal.  As The New York Times reports, "supporters of the deal are closing in on the number they need to ensure it goes into force."1 

But the same article warns that there are still "wild cards" at play that could sabotage this diplomatic effort. Well-heeled conservatives have opened up a fire hose of anti-diplomacy spending—funding misleading ads and lobbyists targeting House and Senate members.2

It's time for us to let those champions of diplomacy who have come out for the agreement know that we have their backs, to demand that undecided members of Congress make the right choice, and to send a message of outrage to those representatives who would sabotage this deal and take us to war.

This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. While your fellow MoveOn members are in the streets, will you help make sure their message is heard by picking up the phone right now  to call Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representative Gregory Meeks?

Tell them, "I'm a constituent, and I support diplomacy with Iran. I'm counting on Congress to uphold the deal when you return to Washington."

Here's where to call:

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: (202) 224-6542

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: (202) 224-4451

Representative Gregory Meeks
Phone: (202) 225-3461

Then let us know how the calls went by clicking below:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1.FSNY_2.FHNY_05&cp_id=2337&id=130552-10220574-cDrMV4x&t=1

Thanks for all you do.

–Jo, Bobby, Justin K., Erica, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Wild Cards Remain as Democrats Add Supporters on Iran Deal" The New York Times, August 24, 2015   
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306590&id=130552-10220574-cDrMV4x&t=2

2. "Big money and ads clash over Iran nuclear deal," USA Today, July 22, 2015  
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306589&id=130552-10220574-cDrMV4x&t=3

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on August 26, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Please don't delete:

This email is much longer than usual, but I hope you'll read until the end. Because this is not a drill.
Dear MoveOn member,

This email is much longer than usual, but I hope you'll read until the end. Because this is not a drill. 

I recently attended President Obama's speech on the nuclear deal with Iran. In case you missed it, here's a key passage:

Let's not mince words. The choice we face is ultimately between diplomacy and some form of war. Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not three months from now, but soon.

And he wasn't joking. Republican Senator Tom Cotton confirmed that's the alternative to this deal, saying we could bomb Iran back to "day zero."1

I know there are probably a million things you could be doing this August rather than organizing to defend diplomacy.

But here's the thing: This is one of those rare moments when so much more than a political argument in D.C. is at stake.

Here's what this fight is really about:
  • Preventing a war before it begins. 
  • Showing it's possible to lead with diplomacy rather than war.
  • Turning away from George Bush's foreign policy of preemptive, open-ended US wars in the Middle East once and for all. 
  • Not letting Republican war hawks and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayahu sabotage America's international credibility, which could harm our ability to reach future international agreements on foreign policy, climate—or really anything.

President Obama has done his part. He's gotten a deal. He's used his bully pulpit. He's held a call with thousands of MoveOn members. And on that call, he said quite clearly: He needs our help. 

So we need to go all in.  

If you opposed the Iraq war, we need you to go all in right now.

If you don't want to see another trillion dollars sent to fight wars overseas, please go all in right now. 

If you don't want to see thousands of servicemen and women dead, tens of thousands injured, and countless innocent civilians suffer, you need to go all in right now. 

If you don't want to see America's credibility around the world destroyed, we need you to go all in.

If you don't want to send the message that the only instrument of foreign policy the U.S. uses is war, you need to go all in right now. 

Here's the plain truth: It's a lot easier to organize against a war once the war drums are banging loudly and the planes are about to take off—but by then it's often too late. 

MoveOn members have already committed more than $500,000 to this effort since the deal was announced, but this is an all-hands-on-deck moment, so we need to double that. Will you chip in $3?

Click here to go all in and help stop a war.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilya 

Source:

1. "Tom Cotton: We can bomb Iran's nuke program back to 'day zero,'" The Washington Post, August 5, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=305842&id=130426-10220574-oIjO0cx&t=1

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift 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 August 25, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Have an idea for a petition?

Do you have an idea for a petition? Help change the world and start your own MoveOn petition today.

Dear MoveOn member,

Ever heard Margaret Mead's famous saying? "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

That's the story of MoveOn. In 1998, when a Republican Congress was focusing all its efforts on impeaching President Clinton, two people with no political experience started a simple online petition: "Censure President Clinton and Move On to Pressing Issues Facing the Nation."

They shared their petition with their friends, and within days they had hundreds of thousands of signatures. Today, MoveOn has over 8 million members—mostly folks who got involved by signing an online petition, and have stayed active in helping to fight for a progressive America.

That's why we launched MoveOn Petitions where you can start your own online petition and invite your friends to sign it. We'll send the most popular petitions to other MoveOn members to help build support for your cause.

It's easy to get started—just click here.

Thanks!

–Milan, Corinne, Maria, Ben, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on August 25, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Remember "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED"?

Do you have any friends who've been tricked, duped, or bamboozled by the war lobby into opposing the Iran nuclear deal? They need to see this video.

Dear MoveOn member,

Do you have any friends who've been tricked, duped, or bamboozled by the war lobby into opposing the Iran nuclear deal?

If so, you should definitely click here to share this new ad with them from our friends at Americans United for Change:

Dick   Cheney and team fooled us once.

Tell friends on Facebook Share with your Twitter followers

Our family and friends need to know that the people urging Congress to walk away from the Iran nuclear deal and risk another Middle East war are the very same ones who took us to war in Iraq.

They were wrong then. And they're wrong now.

But, unfortunately, they do have a lot of money to spend. And that's why it's important that each of us helps ads like this one end up in front of as many people as possible. Will you share the video today?

Click here to watch and share the video on Facebook, and encourage your friends to watch.

Thanks for all you do.

–Jo, Maria, Manny, Nick, and the rest of the team

P.S. Interested in more-detailed reasons to support the Iran nuclear deal? Check out this article from The Huffington Post blog titled "10 Reasons Why Opposing Iran Nuclear Deal Is Bad Politics for Dems, Bad Policy for America."

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on August 24, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Tell Congress: Support the president's Clean Power Plan

President Obama is implementing tough carbon pollution standards to tackle climate change. But Republicans in Congress are threatening to stop this plan. We need to fight back: tell your member of Congress to support the Clean Power Plan.
Dear MoveOn member,

I'm Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. President Obama is implementing tough new rules to reduce carbon pollution from existing power plants. But Republicans in Congress are threatening the Environmental Protection Agency to try and stop this plan.1

Can you join me in standing up for the president's Clean Power Plan? Click here to tell Congress:

Climate change is a fact. And America must lead the way in addressing it. We call on Congress to support the president's Clean Power Plan.

President Obama's proposed new rule to reduce carbon pollution is exactly what we need.

It's about clean air. Our children's health depends on it.

It's about climate change. The planet is heating up, and we have to reverse it.

It's about time. We must act before it's too late.

Republicans in Congress are peddling junk science, pretending climate change isn't happening, and acting on behalf of the Koch brothers and the coal industry.

Please join me in standing with President Obama—and tell Republicans in Congress to back off.

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

Thanks!

–Senator Jeff Merkley

Source:

1. "Move to Fight Obama's Climate Plan Started Early," The New York Times, August 3, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=305981&id=130160-10220574-4ikpbtx&t=2

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

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift 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 August 23, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Re: Four votes short (Iran)

We're asking you to join us and sign a petition that sends a strong message to all Democrats: If you undermine the Obama Administration's historic diplomatic agreement with Iran, we'll withhold all campaign donations from your campaigns and party committees in the next election.

Dear fellow MoveOn member,

This is Ben and Jerry—the co-founders of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. We wrote you earlier this week and we're writing one more time today to ask for your help to stop another disastrous, unnecessary Middle East war.

Right now we have an amazing opportunity to defend the Obama administration's historic diplomatic deal to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons. And yet, some of the same warmongers who led us into Iraq want to sabotage this deal and put us on a path to war with Iran—and some Democrats are thinking about going along with them!

That's not the leadership we need. We need more voices like Senator Bernie Sanders, who has declared, "The test of a great nation is not how many wars it can engage in, it is how it can resolve international conflicts in a peaceful manner."1 

That's why we're asking you to join us and sign a petition that sends a strong message to all Democrats: If you undermine the Obama administration's historic diplomatic agreement with Iran, we'll withhold all campaign donations from your campaigns and party committees in the next election.

If the Senate blocks President's Obama's Iran deal, it risks putting us on a path toward war. But despite that—and despite thousands of phone calls, petitions, and meetings—we're still FOUR VOTES SHORT of what we need to stop the Senate from doing just that, according to media reports.2

So it's time to start talking in terms that politicians understand: money.

It's that simple. Be the party of peace and diplomacy—or don't expect any support when you're running on your record of saber-rattling and fearmongering.

Will you click here to sign the petition with us—and join MoveOn's donor strike?

We're businesspeople—and we know that if we sold an inferior product, people would stop buying it.

Well, Democrats who side with war hawks instead of diplomacy and peace are selling an inferior product. And we're not buying it.

These Democrats just need to learn from recent history. They were bulldozed into giving President George W. Bush the power to invade Iraq. Look how that turned out!

Now, wimps like Senator Chuck Schumer—who expects to be the next Senate Democratic Leader—are coming out against the deal.3 He was wrong on Iraq. Now, he's wrong on Iran.

And this past week, Senator Robert Menendez came out against the deal—in spite of the fact that he was elected in 2006 based on his vote against the Iraq War.4 He was right on Iraq, but now he's on the wrong side of history. That's not the leadership we need.

So far, more than 115,000 of us have signed the petition, pledging to withhold more than $30 million in contributions. Now, just imagine if 150,000 or 200,000 of us sign ... Together, we could pledge to withhold $40 million—the amount that's being spent by the opposition on negative TV ads!

Click here to sign the petition. Join MoveOn's donor strike now and let's stop a war before it begins.

As businesspeople, we understand the "bottom line." And here's what it is: Democratic wimps and chicken-hawks need to come to their senses—or have their funding cut off. It's that simple.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ben & Jerry 

 

Sources:

1. "Bernie Sanders announces support for Iran nuclear deal,'" The Washington Post, August 7, 2015  
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306267&id=129971-10220574-VUoAuRx&t=4

2. "Whip count: Where the Senate stands on the Iran deal," The Washington Post, August 19, 2015  
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306202&id=129971-10220574-VUoAuRx&t=5  

3. "Sen. Schumer's illogical case against the Iran deal," The Washington Post, August 13, 2015   
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306207&id=129971-10220574-VUoAuRx&t=6

4. "Bob Menendez becomes second Senate Democrat to oppose Iran deal," CNN, August 18, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306431&id=129971-10220574-VUoAuRx&t=7

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift 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 August 22, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Let's Put Some Brakes on the Revolving Door


Dear MoveOn member,

I'm Lisa Donner, Americans for Financial Reform of Americans for Financial Reform, and I started a petition to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama , which says:

Support the Financial Services Conflict of Interest Act -- new legislation, introduced by Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Rep. Elijah Cummings, that would slow down the revolving door between Wall Street and Washington.

The revolving door is out of control, and we've paid the price dearly – both in the years leading up to the financial crisis, when regulators too often ignored or abetted the reckless and irresponsible practices that ultimately brought down the economy, and in the years since, when too many regulators have succumbed to pressure to water down critical reforms designed to protect consumers and taxpayers.

We need rules to make sure our officials in Washington are tough, independent, and dedicated to the public interest. The Financial Services Conflict of Interest Act can be an important step in that direction. We ask you to do all you can to get this crucial legislation enacted.

The Financial Services Conflict of Interest Act would ban the "golden parachutes" that Wall Street uses to reward executives for taking jobs in government (a subtle form of bribery), limit the lobbying that can be done by financial regulators after they leave government, and expand the range of situations in which officials must recuse themselves from decisions affecting their former employers.

Personnel decisions are policy decisions - we've learned that again and again. This bill could make an important difference in slowing the revolving door.

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

Thanks!

–Lisa Donner, Americans for Financial Reform

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

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on August 19, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Four votes short (Iran)

It's Ben and Jerry, the co-founders of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. Will you sign this petition?

Dear fellow MoveOn member,

It's Ben and Jerry, the co-founders of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. We're writing today about keeping America out of another war in the Middle East. 

Lobbyists and billionaires plan to spend over $40 million to stop the diplomatic deal with Iran—the one the Obama Administration negotiated to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.1 That's dangerous, because if too many Democrats listen to the flood of hawkish, misinformation-ridden TV ads—and if they vote with Republicans—they could override the president's agreement in just about a month. 

This agreement is the only peaceful way to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. And it's a critical test for what sort of nation we're going to be. As Senator Bernie Sanders says, "the test of a great nation is not how many wars it can engage in, it is how it can resolve international conflicts in a peaceful manner."2 

It may seem hard to fight back against $40 million in spending and win. But MoveOn has found a way. It's called a "donor strike"—a pledge to not give money to Democrats who risk taking us to war, and to the party committees (like the DSCC) that support them.

We just joined MoveOn's "donor strike", and we hope you will too. Signing the petition takes just 30 seconds, and it sends an incredibly powerful message. 

Click here to sign the petition. Join us in pledging to withhold contributions from Democrats who sabotage diplomacy with Iran.

MoveOn members collectively contribute boatloads of money to Democrats each year—mostly in modest chunks like $5, $25, or $50. But it adds up to millions.

That's why a petition pledging not to contribute a dime to any Democrats who put us on a path to war—or party committees that support them (like the DSCC)—will send a powerful message.

Click here to add your name. Pledge to withhold contributions from Democrats if they undermine diplomacy with Iran and put us on a path to war.

More than 25,000 of us have signed this pledge already, pledging to withhold $11 million in contributions. Now, just imagine if 100,000 or 200,000 of us sign ... Together, we could pledge to withhold $40 million—the amount that's being spent on negative TV ads!

Collectively, we're just as powerful as the billionaires running these ads, if we flex our muscles and make our voices heard. 

Signing the petition will take you about 30 seconds. Are you in?

This deal is a victory for our national security, the American people, and folks around the world. It resolves a big-time global security concern without resorting to dropping bombs for ten years. (Think Iraq.) 

If the Senate overrides President's Obama's Iran deal, it risks putting us on a path toward war. But despite that—and despite thousands of phone calls, petitions, and meetings—we're still FOUR VOTES SHORT of what we need to stop the Senate from doing just that, according to media reports.3

Click here to sign the petition. Join us in pledging to withhold contributions from Democrats who sabotage diplomacy with Iran.

The bottom line is this: This agreement is the only way to keep us off a path to war.Major national security experts, our nation's top military brass, President Obama, John Kerry, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and a whole host of others all agree: the alternative to this diplomatic agreement with Iran would be war.

War means American women and men in uniform will die. It means tens of thousands of civilians will perish. And it means billions—maybe trillions—of taxpayer dollars (which should go to things like green energy development, health care, or schools) will be drained from the federal budget.

You know who would love that? Big military contractors and their armies of lobbyists. But the rest of us would be in deep, deep trouble. 

Hell no. Will you join us in sending a not-to-be-missed message to Democrats in Congress by committing to withhold contributions from any Democrat who succeeds in sabotaging President Obama's diplomatic agreement with Iran?

Click here to sign the petition. Tell Democrats you won't give them your money if they vote to put us on a path to war.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ben & Jerry


Sources:

1. "Big money and ads clash over Iran nuclear deal," USA Today, July 22, 2015 
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=305727&id=129556-10220574-iJm88ux&t=6

2. "Bernie Sanders, After Call From Obama, Announces Support for Iran Deal," The New York Times, August 7, 2015 

3. "Whip count: Where the Senate stands on the Iran deal," The Washington Post, August 13, 2015  
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306202&id=129556-10220574-iJm88ux&t=8

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift 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 August 19, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Arverne: An urgent request

Dear New York MoveOn member, 

Urgent: We're looking for someone to lead an event in front of the office of Representative Gregory Meeks on Wednesday, August 26. That's when MoveOn members and our allies will gather outside the offices of key senators and representatives to call on them to support the diplomatic agreement that will prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

We have heard from MoveOn members who want to help deliver this message to Rep. Meeks—but we need someone to step up as a host for this action. 


The event should be held at one of Rep. Meeks's local offices. Here's one near you:

67-12 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Arverne, NY

(Or you can look up other nearby office locations here.)

Coordinating an event like this is incredibly important, and we make it simple—MoveOn will recruit for the event and provide petitions and signs. We just need to make sure a passionate member is on the ground to welcome others, to print out and bring the petition signatures, and to oversee the agenda for the event (which we'll provide and walk you through!). 


Rep. Meeks is still publicly undecided on whether he will support the deal, so it's critical that he not be left out of our day of action. We know that members of Congress are being bombarded daily by expensive ads funded by some of the same war hawks who led us into Iraq. 
 
We can't outspend them—but we will out-mobilize them. 

Thanks for all you do.

–Matt
, Jo, Erica, Justin K., and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on August 18, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Tell Rep. Meeks: No War With Iran

 
☆Stop a War With Iran☆
Join the national day of action by leading a protest in your community
We couldn't stop the Iraq War, but we can prevent one with Iran. In just weeks, members of Congress will return to Washington and take one of the most important votes of their career—they will either support a breakthrough diplomatic deal with Iran, or put us on the path to another war. 
  
The vote in September is likely to be incredibly close. Representative Gregory Meeks hasn't announced his support for the agreement yet, and he could be the deciding vote. 

We're gathering outside Senate and House offices from coast to coast on Wednesday, August 26 calling for Congress to support diplomacy, not war.

But we still need someone to help lead an event at Rep. Meeks's office at:
 67-12 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Arverne, NY

Or you can also look up other offices here.

Can you help lead a protest outside his office and deliver a petition signed by fellow MoveOn members as part of our national day of action to stop a war with Iran? 

 

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on August 16, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Schumer. War. Accountability.

We can't let this go unanswered. Not with other Democrats across America watching what happens to Sen. Schumer, and trying to figure out whether there's more political risk in supporting the deal or opposing it.
Hi MoveOn member,

Democratic Leader-in-waiting Chuck Schumer has come out against the Iran nuclear deal. And a group headed by pro-war former senator Joe Lieberman launched a billboard thanking Sen. Schumer, right in Times Square. 

We can't let this go unanswered. Not with other Democrats across America watching
 what happens to Sen. Schumer, and trying to figure out whether there's more political risk in supporting the deal or opposing it. 

We've already raised over $120,000 this week. We're getting ready to kick off next week with a competing billboard, to ramp up our campaign to hold Sen. Schumer accountable
—and to send a clear message to other Democrats: If you push us towards war, we'll hold you accountable too. Will you chip in $3 and help us get to $200,000 by Monday? 

Click here to chip in and help hold Senator Schumer accountable.

For more details, see Jo's message from earlier this week:

Dear MoveOn member,

Our pressure is working. In a backlash that has sent shock waves through Washington, D.C., more than 20,000 of us have pledged to withhold more than $11 million from Democrats who would lead us towards war with Iran.

Senator Chuck Schumer—would-be Democratic Leader in the Senate, and the only Democratic senator to publicly oppose the Iran deal so far—is feeling the heat. Politico reports that "with liberal groups furious over his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal, Sen. Chuck Schumer has been quietly reaching out to dozens of his colleagues to explain his decision" and assure them he won't lobby them to join his side.1 

And in recognition that Schumer is against the ropes politically, a group backed by hawkish billionaires—and headed by none other than the pro-war former senator Joe Lieberman—has bought a video billboard in Times Square to support him. 

Every undecided Democrat, from Senator Cory Booker to Representative Jerry Nadler, is watching what happens to Schumer. They're trying to figure out whether there's more political risk in supporting the deal—or opposing it. So this is the moment for us to double down. 

Can you chip in $3 to help buy an opposing billboard in Times Square calling out Schumer—and pointing out that the war hawks who took us to Iraq now want war with Iran?

Yes, I'll chip in to help hold Senator Schumer accountable.

There's an amazing story about the group that bought the pro-Schumer billboard, a story that tells you everything you need to know about this fight. 

The organization, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), used to be chaired by Gary Samore, a nuclear expert who runs a security program at Harvard. During negotiations with Iran, he was skeptical. But according to an article in today's New York Times, after the Iran deal was finalized, Samore took a hard look at the text—and wound up supporting it.2 If you want to keep Iran nuclear-free, supporting the deal is the best path to do it. 

But that put him on the wrong side of the group he chaired, which was funded in no small part by ultra-right-wing pro-war billionaire Sheldon Adelson. So Samore stepped down. And into his chair slid Joe Lieberman, the Iraq War's #1 Democratic cheerleader—and the target of a MoveOn-supported primary campaign in 2006 that cost him the Democratic nomination for his Senate seat. 

Lieberman, predictably, opposes the Iran deal. And under Lieberman's leadership, UANI wasted no time in coming to the aid of Sen. Schumer, who was facing a wall of criticism from progressives, just as Lieberman had a decade ago. 

The fallout from Schumer's decision will shape the future of the Democratic Party, the country, and the Middle East. Everyone's watching. That's why we have to lean in to this fight—and respond to the pro-war billboard in a way that can't be missed.

If we can raise the funds this week, we can buy an anti-war billboard in Times Square and buy online ads to make sure that swing voters across America see our message. Can you chip in $3?

Click here to chip in, and help us hold Senator Schumer accountable.

We didn't stop the last war. We'll all have to live with that—those of us who didn't lose our lives to it. But we can stop this one. 

Thanks for all you do.

Jo, Bobby, Erica, Stephen, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Chuck Schumer working the phones on Iran," Politico, August 11, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=305987&id=128963-10220574-CcejjFx&t=1

2. "Head of Group Opposing Iran Accord Quits Post, Saying He Backs Deal," The New York Times, August 12, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=305988&id=128963-10220574-CcejjFx&t=2

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift 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 August 15, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.