From: American Lands <[log in to unmask]>

To: All Activists
From: Steve Holmer
Date: October 28, 1998

Subject: ELECTION DAY IS EARTH DAY

     This Tuesday, Nov. 3 is Election Day when citizens have the
opportunity to hold their elected officials accountable and vote for
candidates who will protect the environment.  It is also an opportunity to
make progress towards a majority in Congress that will take the far
reaching
steps needed to protect ecosystems, rehabilitate damaged watersheds, and
require irresponsible corporations to clean up their acts.

     I've seen something in the last week that I can only describe as a
lesson in humility.  With some exceptions such as the Sierra Club's
independent expenditure campaign and many individual volunteers, our
community is failing to use the electoral process to build political power.
Labor deserves considerable credit because they understand power and are
willing to pay dues from their paychecks and contribute in a variety of
ways
to political campaigns. They show up in large numbers and are experienced.

     It's not too late.  There are six days until the polls close.  Drop
what you are doing if you can and get involved.  Nothing is more important
than having a better Congress to work with.  This year we defeated the
Smith
Forest Health bill by 16 votes.  If only eight seats are lost to
anti-environmental candidates, a forest health bill could pass next year.
Bigger losses could lead to more riders - even rollbacks of our major
environmental laws.

I want to take another opportunity to thank everyone for the incredible
effort that went into this year's campaign to cut logging subsidies and
stop
destructive riders.  The Omnibus Budget was a disgraceful travesty that
left
no room for democracy, only backroom deals.  And the Congressional
leadership
continued to promote an anti-environmental agenda.  Despite this, due to
your tireless efforts, creative energy and will to win, we are continuing
to
move in the right direction and the cut on public lands keeps going down.
But, we need a better Congress to accomplish our goals - so we will have to
build one.

Please Help Get Out the Environmental Vote

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