Although it was Serious Time in Our History, We Were Not Too Serious...
- June 1, 2023
Many thanks to all of you who joined us at “Brews and Thank You’s” last Wednesday at River Siren Brewing in Stillwater.
Best of all, we connected with friends and basked in their fellowship and solidarity.
We signed — and added notes — on big cards for Congresswoman McCollum and Senators Smith and Klobuchar. It was our big thank you to them for speaking out against massive cuts to safety net programs, demanded by MAGA Republicans in exchange for raising the debt ceiling.
Before this gathering, we also asked those who couldn't come to sign a letter to these members of Congress with the same message.
Congresswoman McCollum’s Outreach Specialist, Charlie Hammond, came and delivered a letter from Betty, giving her regrets for not being able to come in person. He also gave us a sneak preview of her press release. He’s since sent the text of the press release as well as the video.
Scott Ickes, our regional organizer, provided insight about Indivisible’s MAGA Default Crisis Week of Action. Indivisibles across the nation have been making it clear that as leaders negotiate the budget/debt ceiling, they must prioritize protecting the most vulnerable among us, rather than corporate profits.
We gathered for a photo op, too and followed up by submitting a story and photos to the Stillwater Gazette
Charlie carried our thank you card and letters back to the McCollum office. And a we've delivered our cards and letters to our Senators. (Thank you, Shannon Riley and Joe Genereux.)
- Pre-Event, Mid-May, 2023
The wealthy few have always tried calling the shots - rigging the rules to avoid paying what they owe and taking the wealth our work creates. And now the MAGA Republicans running our House of Representatives are doing their bidding - threatening to default on America and push us into economic shutdown.
St. Croix Valley Indivisibles are adding our voices to those of Indivisibles across the country who are gathering during the week of May 19-26th to make it clear: “We won’t be held hostage by the MAGA agenda!”
Join Us for.....
Brews and Thank You's May 24, 2023, 4:00 - 6:00 pm River Siren Brewing 225 Main St N, Stillwater, MN 55082 Write notes and cards to our Senators and Congresswoman McCollum Sign up and JOIN US!
Why is it important?
The issue is a choice between raising the debt ceiling or defaulting on the national debt – it’s a choice between paying what we owe or creating a massive global economic catastrophe, according to nonpartisan economic experts (e.g. see this recent report from Moody’s).
Our Senators and Congresswoman McCollum are totally on board. They agree that Congress must pass a clean debt ceiling and negotiate the budget later.
But doesn’t this usually get solved one way or the other? Yes, but the better question is: HOW is it solved? So far, Demos refuse to negotiate with the MAGA Republican hostage-takers. Congresswoman Betty McCollum has gone on record to affirm that she will stay united with President Biden and her Dem colleagues. Our Senators, Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, agree: We will first pay the credit card, no strings attached, then we can negotiate on the budget.
But we know that Members of Congress (MoC's) are under incredible pressure to solve this dilemma. When push comes to shove, will they back down? Our job is to do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen!
That’s why we’re writing notes and sending cards and letters. We want to make sure that our MoC’s understand that we don’t want massive budget cuts — especially not in exchange for doing the absolute minimum — just paying our bills.
Here's what we are fighting for:
The bill offered by the MAGA Republicans in Congress will slash funding for teachers and schools, and cut Medicaid for disabled kids and seniors. Are we willing to stand by while critical programs are cut to the bone?!?
Their bill eliminates 108,000 teachers’ jobs, taking away educational support for 32 million kids in the country.
It would put healthcare of 21 million people in jeopardy by slashing Medicaid, including seniors in nursing homes and children with disabilities.
The bill hikes heating bill costs for seniors and families, sticking them with a 20% higher heating bill next winter.
It also directly produces more hungry children and families, cutting food assistance for 400,000 people.
But we have seen that the many can stand up to the money and protect our freedoms, families and futures. And we will hold MAGA Republicans accountable for defaulting on, defrauding and destabilizing America. We must come together to demand that our MoC’s hold strong and refuse to negotiate with these highway robbers!
Join us to make sure that our MoC’s get the message, loud and clear.
For those who can't come, you can sign our letters, which thank these MoC's for standing united with fellow Democrats, and ask that they continue to stay strong. We'll deliver them for you! Read these letters and sign your name.
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