ACTFORCHANGE ACTIVISM UPDATE: November 13, 2002

You are receiving this newsletter because you have previously taken action on ActForChange in support of progressive values.

IN THIS BULLETIN:

• FEATURED ACTION: Senator Daschle — Fight Back and Filibuster Often
• ACTIVISM OPPORTUNITY: Tell Moderate Republicans to Join Jeffords and Switch Parties
• SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY: Time to Vote on Working Assets’ Donation Ballot

Senator Daschle — Fight Back and Filibuster Often

Control of the Senate will change in January, with reproductive rights, environmental protection, the exercise of war powers, limiting corporate corruption and civil liberties taking the biggest hits. While the last year has seen Senate Democrats block the worst proposed legislation, essentially nothing good has passed. But now the special interests that funded the most expensive midterm election in history want their payback, and it will be deeply damaging.

Take action!

It is past time for Senate liberals to get a backbone. Senate rules prevent passage of essentially any legislation unless at least 60 senators vote in favor. This means that a determined minority, one willing to use the rules and to filibuster, can block the worst judicial appointments, drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge and the permanent elimination of the estate tax. Such senators will come under ferocious attack from the editorial pages of the mainstream press, from the pundits of the right and their colleagues in the Senate. The only chance is if they hear overwhelmingly from the public that this is the right thing to do.

Such senators need leadership. Contact Senate Majority leader Thomas Daschle and urge him to stand up to the President’s extreme agenda.

Please forward this newsletter to your friends and help spread the word about this important campaign!

Tell Moderate Republicans to Join Jeffords and Switch Parties

There are a handful of moderate Republicans who just might be persuaded to join Senator Jeffords in an act of conscience by leaving the Republican Party. Senators Chafee of Rhode Island, Specter of Pennsylvania and Snowe of Maine are all seriously out of step with the Trent Lotts of the Senate. They need to know that they have a choice to make.

Senator Specter, join Senator Jeffords by becoming an independent and voting with the Democratic caucus in the Senate.	Senator Snowe, join Senator Jeffords by becoming an independent and voting with the Democratic caucus in the Senate.	Senator Chafee, join Senator Jeffords by becoming an independent and voting with the Democratic caucus in the Senate.

Please forward this newsletter to your friends and help spread the word about this important campaign!

Time to Cast Your Vote

Each year, Working Assets donates millions of dollars to progressive nonprofit groups out of our revenues. If you use one of Working Assets’ services (long distance, credit card, wireless, ShopForChange and GiveForChange) you are eligible to vote.

Since 1985, we’ve raised nearly $30 million in donations. This year alone, we hope to raise $4 million for 50 worthy groups. The great news is, customers play a critical role in deciding who gets how much.

If you are already a customer, please take a moment now to vote. Want more of the money channeled to organizations working for world peace? Civil liberties? Environmental protection? Fine by us. Want all groups to receive an equal amount? We’ll see to it. The important thing is to vote. This year’s donation ballot is available online here.

If you are not yet a customer of one of these services, we welcome you to become one by clicking on the links below. After you sign up for one of our services, you can vote online and help us distribute the donations. The voting deadline is December 31, 2002.

Working Assets Long Distance

Working Assets Credit Card

ShopForChange

GiveForChange

Thank you for taking action and helping to build a better world.

Jennifer Willis
Director
ActForChange.com