LYNN'S LIST

LYNN’S LIST FOR JANUARY 25, 2021

Democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile.  Democracy has prevailed.  

                                                            Joseph R. Biden, January 20, 2021

A nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished

                                                            Amanda Gorman, January 20, 2020

Fair and Representative Elections

Federal

The For the People Act, H.R. 1, addresses some of the most pressing issues facing our democracy. From restoring the Voting Rights Act, modernizing our voter registration system, updating the public financing of elections through small donor matching funds, ending partisan gerrymandering, and making campaign contributions more transparent, this bill will put control of our government back into the hands of the people.

• If Congressman Bishop is your representative, contact him with the suggested script:  My name is ---- and I am from -----.  The reform package contained in the For the People Act is important to the future of our democracy. Support H.R. 1, the For the People Act.

In a continued bogus claim that the election was stolen and there was widespread election fraud,  about fifteen Congressmen, including Georgia 08’s Austin Scott, have signed onto the Save Democracy Act. In pretending to protect election integrity, it is a federal government voter suppression bill.  In Congressman Scott’s newsletter dated January 17, he breaks the bill into three sections: voter registration, casting of ballots and tabulation of ballots. It disallows same day voter registration, eliminates almost all drop boxes; requires that only the voter can deliver or mail their own ballot; and requires that once the counting of ballots begins it must continue until completion without breaks (no bathroom trips or food for you). The most heinous section of the bill requires use of full social security numbers and requires election officials to cross-check voters’ SSNs with those contained on state voter registration lists after an election has closed, and report on such data to Congress.  

• If Congressman Scott is your Representative, contact him with the suggested script:  My name is ----- and I am from -----.  The Save Democracy Act is a bill looking for a problem. There was no voter fraud and there was no stolen election.  Instead of making it harder to vote, you should be restoring key conditions of the Voting Rights Act and reforming campaign finance.  Support the For the People Act, H.R.1 and remove your name as a cosponsor of the Save Democracy Act.

On January 21, a bipartisan group -if you can call one republican cosponsor bipartisan- of Congressmen reintroduced a Constitutional Amendment to overturn Citizens United.  Eleven years ago, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Citizens United case gave corporations and America’s wealthiest individuals the ability to flood our elections with money through PACs (Political Action Committees) that put special interests above the will of the voters.  The Democracy for All Amendment (H.J. Res. 1) has 221 sponsors.

As of this writing, neither Austin Scott (GA08) nor Sanford Bishop (GA 02) have signed on as cosponsors.

• Contact your Congressman with the suggested script:  My name is ----- and I am from -----.    It’s time to get elections out of the hands of the wealthy who can flood special interest groups and back into the hands of the voters.  Sign on as a cosponsor of H.J. Res.1, the Democracy for All Amendment.

Both parties are calling for unity and healing after the “Stop the Steal” attack on the Capitol by terrorists attempting to overturn our free and fair election.  So far, not all of our elected officials have taken a stand, and condemned the acts as having been provoked by the incessant lies that the election was stolen.  Those who enabled the attacks through their silence must now speak out so that healing can begin.

• Contact both U.S. Senators and your Congressman with the suggested script:  My name is ---- and I am from ----.  Rejecting legally certified election results with no evidence of fraud is harmful to the foundations of our republic. I am asking for two things.  I am asking the Senator (or Congressman) to make a public statement affirming the election results and condemning the attempted coup. I also want the Senator (or Congressman) to support investigation into the role that elected officials may have played in the attempted coup that led to five deaths. 

IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS

Civic Ambassador Training

A virtual Civic Ambassador training is planned for Friday February 12 from 10-11:30 am. Most of the government entities continue to meet online due to the pandemic, so this is a great opportunity to tune into what is going on without having to leave the comforts of home.  If you have already attended the training, this will be a refresher for you.  If you have not, this is an introduction to anyone who is interested in joining the Civic Ambassador team.  Being a part of the team is a great way to make a difference in our community. If you are interested, contact gawomen2017@gmail.com for the zoom link.  And spread the word to others who may be interested in being informed and involved in our government.

Train With Us

Save the date for Georgia Women’s first 2021 Advocacy Salon called Train With Us.  This three part virtual program will be held on Thursday February 4 at 6:00pm.  It features an Advocacy Toolkit, Your Vote Your Voice, and Fight Like a Girl.

The link to your legislators is here.  The list is incomplete until all the contact information is available.

Stay safe.