Call to Action - Tuesday March 15 - PLEASE HELP US BE HEARD!

[merh]

Call-in on Tuesday to protest Bankruptcy bill
It has been suggested that we organize a Call-in for this Tuesday to protest the Bankruptcy bill. We flooded the switchboards in December and January demanding that senators and representatives stand with Conyers and oppose the certification of Ohio's votes, we made so many calls and sent so many faxes that the "800" that was once supplied to congress by the lobbyists was disconnected.

Well, let's flood the switchboards of the House, Senate, and White House with calls saying "we're mad as hell and we aren't going to take it anymore."

Send faxes as well. Emails aren't good enough because they don't tie up phone lines. Respond to this post if you're willing to help.

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senat...

http://www.senate.gov/general/resources/pdf/senators_ph...

http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml

White House:
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: [phone]

TTY/TDD
Comments: 202-456-6213
Visitors Office: 202-456-2121

Make them hear us - We have to stop the Bankruptcy Reform Legislation. It will crush those who cannot afford to be crushed. It benefits only the corporations.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1653304

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x342030

[hootinholler]

1. Yes, we can do this.

Time to also to enlist the freepers who are pissed.

We have 4 days to get the word out that Tuesday is call the gubmint out day.

-Hoot

[northamericancitizen]

3. I would give a lot to be an American .: I wish I could do more.

I will try keeping this thread alive for the next few days. That's the minimum I can do for you guys.

Respectfully,

Lise

[merh]

14. Thanks for helping us keep it kicked!

Please pass this on to everyone you know that is American or to friends who have American contacts.

We have to make them hear us!

[diamond14]

67. kick

:kick:

[cry baby]

2. I have been in meetings today. I thought there was a vote on the bill

in the senate already. What am I missing?

[hiley]

4. it goes to the house next

week, is what I heard earlier this evening, went thru the senate.

[cry baby]

6. Why then we are supposed to continue to write senators, other than to

tell the ones that voted for it that there will be hell to pay?

I know I'm being dense, I'm sorry. I'm really tired but this is the only time I get to catch up today, please have patience with me.

[imenja]

9. They could kill the bill if they feel enough pressure

If it is made clear to them their jobs are on the line. Bills die in conference even after they are passed. We need the kind of mobilization that has been happening against social security privatization. The Republicans are terrified of that one, despite what Bush wants. If pressure is great enough, they buckle. Don't write. Call them all. Tie up the lines. This is a phone demonstration. Send an email to everyone you know.

[cry baby]

11. Count me in!!!!! Thanks for the info...must get sleep now.

[DesEtoiles]

5. How many businesses did * drive into BANKRUPTCY when he was CEO?

prior to his so-called political career, didn't he crater about 3 or 4 companies?

How many times did Poppy or Poppy's friends bail him out?

[northamericancitizen]

7. They will probably bail him out again. But poor him he

doesn't realize that it will be the last and shortest reprieve he will ever had.

God, I almost have pity for the poor soul.

[Stand and Fight]

8. I am willing and able to help.

This is too damn important to ignore. PM me that day with details.

[Nothing Without Hope]

10. Yes, this is a time to take a stand! We can't let them shrug off their

accountability for standing for the citizens they represent.

I would like to see the words "shame" and "shameful" and "sellout" on placards and highway signs, though of course letters and emails need to be more on the logical and less on the insulting side to be read at all.

But the fact is, I believe a great meany very active and resolute progressives will work to dump any Senator voting for this bill in the next election.

Recommended! And please PM me with details of what to do.

[northamericancitizen]

12. I love your name and your sig. NWH.

lise

[merh]

62. Friendly Reminder!

Friendly Reminder!
You wanted a reminder to call Congress and tell them how you feel about the bankruptcy bill. Here is your reminder.

This site provides an 800 number and asks that you voice your concerns over many issues. Add the bankruptcy bill to the list.

http://go.sojo.net/campaign/morally_bankrupt_budget/step1.tcl

Thanks for agreeing to be heard!

merh

[Tsiyu]

13. Kick, dammit

Get off your asses and do something.


Pretty please.

I will

[merh]

15. Thanks for the kick!

PEOPLE, we can make a difference. Do something to make that difference instead of just bitching about our leaders in congress. Take action and make them hear you, please. If not for yourselves, then for those that will be harmed by this bill.

Please!

[hootinholler]

16. kick N/T

[northamericancitizen]

17. Keep on going, kicking and talking about it. If we don't who will?

[hootinholler]

18. kicking agin

[Tsiyu]

23. Thank you merh; you may have another...

:kick:

:kick: :toast:

[merh]

19. So do you guys just bitch or will you take some action and be

heard?

KICK :kick:

[hootinholler]

20. time for another kick...

[merh]

21. Kick again

:kick:

[merh]

22. Proposed Flyer and draft of a letter to consider sending/faxing!

Protest the Bankruptcy Reform Bill

The Bankruptcy Reform legislation being considered in Congress will make it harder for low- and moderate-income individuals to get out of debt even when blind sided by sickness, divorce, or job loss. These are the very times when people are most vulnerable to credit card companies' pitches to rack up debt.

Congress is considering this legislation because the big banks and credit card companies have contributed more than $101 million to federal candidates and party committees over the last six years (a Senate cycle). Of that, 36% went to Democrats and 64% went to Republicans.

On Tuesday, March 15, 2005, there will be a Call-in to Protest the Bankruptcy Reform bill. We flooded the switchboards in December and January demanding that senators and representatives stand with Representative Conyers and oppose the certification of Ohio's votes. So many calls were made and so many faxes sent that the "800" that was once supplied to congress by the lobbyists was disconnected and debate was had on the election fraud and disenfranchisement that took place on November 2, 2004.

Well, let's flood the switchboards of the House, Senate, and White House with calls letting them know that "we're mad as hell and we aren't going to take it anymore."

Send faxes and emails, send letters, let them know that WE THE PEOPLE don’t appreciate the fact that they are voting for corporations and businesses over the rights and needs of the citizens.

Demand your representatives represent the people and not the corporations.

Date: ______________

Dear Representative/Congressman_____________:

I urge you to oppose the bankruptcy bill underwritten by the credit card industry's campaign contributions. This legislation -- S. 256 -- is one big payoff to the big banks and credit card companies, which, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, have contributed more than $101 million to federal candidates and party committees in the last three elections. It will hurt low and moderate income Americans who have found themselves in difficult financial circumstances. Indeed, nine out of ten families filing for bankruptcy do so because of job loss, medical problems, divorce, or separation.

How can you ask the citizens to be responsible with their personal debts when you are not responsible with our national debts? Isn’t that rather hypocritical? Our national debt is huge, what would you do if our government was held to the same harsh standards that you are allowing the credit card companies to hold the citizens to under this legislation?

Our political system is drowning in debt to wealthy donors. I urge you to oppose this big money legislation.

Please support the people and not the corporations. Stop this bill, do not let it become law.

Sincerely,



__________________________
Name
Address
__________________________
__________________________

Hello, are you willing to put your concerns in writing to and to make yourselves heard? It is up to us, we can make a difference!

[merh]

24. Focus on these representatives - the NEW DEMOCRAT COALITION

The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
H-232, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker:

We write to encourage you to bring bankruptcy reform legislation to the House floor as soon as the Senate completes its consideration of the bill. The New Democrat Coalition has backed common sense bankruptcy reform in the past and helped in passing the bankruptcy reform bill by overwhelming margins in the House of Representatives during the 108th Congress.

Over the last several years, we have worked to advance reasonable and balanced legislation that would require individuals who have the ability to repay their debts to do so, while preserving the important safety net of bankruptcy under Chapter 7 for those who truly need it. We believe that responsible bankruptcy reform embodies the New Democrat principle of personal responsibility, while at the same time adding important new consumer protections such as requiring enhanced credit card disclosure information and encouraging participation in consumer credit counseling.

It is our hope that the House of Representatives will consider this important piece of legislation in an expedited manner. We stand ready to work with you and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass bankruptcy reform into law.

Sincerely,

Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher
Rep. Adam Smith
Rep. Ron Kind
Rep. Artur Davis
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy
Rep. John Larson
Rep. Stephanie Herseth
Rep. Dennis Moore
Rep. Mike McIntyre
Rep. Joe Crowley
Rep. Jay Israel
Rep. David Wu
Rep. Diane Hooley
Rep. Melissa Bean
Rep. Jim Davis
Rep. Harold E. Ford, Jr.
Rep. Ed Case
Rep. Jay Inslee
Rep. Shelley Berkeley
Rep. Gregory W. Meeks

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/3/8/202044/7026

[merh]

45. Kick

:kick:

[liberalla]

25. I will help in this effort

I haven't read through this thread completely so as to know all that needs to be done--but I can spend about 4 or 5 hours calling on Tuesday. It will be midday & afternoon. Does anybody know what time the offices close? Of course, I can call on Monday and ask--but if anyone knows, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

I will bookmark this and read it later. I'm going to post it also on Randi Rhodes Message Board and link to this thread. Thanks to merh for organizing and posting this info!

Oh! We should email to Mike Malloy to announce on his show tonight. He's off all next week, so tonight is the last chance for him to announce. Can any DU'ers help me email Mike about this so he gets lots of messages about it? He's been very vocal against the new Bankruptcy bill!

Thanks!!!

[merh]

28. Thank you - link it to every imaginable site! I guess it's too late

to call Malloy, maybe he will talk about this Monday if we send it to him.

Let's make them hear us.

If you are cutting up your credit cards save the pieces and put them in envelopes with your letters to congress. Blast the sleeze bags and tell them that they can put the pieces where the sun doesn't sign, they can give them back to the credit card companies who bought them.

If you get credit card offers in the mail don't throw it away. Take the inside and the envelope and other junk mail you get and stuff it all in the postage pre-paid envelope. Drop it back in the mail to the scum.

They heard us before January 6th, we need to make them hear us again!

We the People want them to listen to us and kill this damned legislation!

[H2O Man]

26. Yes.

I will take advantage of the opportunity to be involved in grass roots level democratic actions that involve the exercising of our Constitutional rights. Thank you!

[merh]

29. Please put it on your blogspot.

Include the letter to Hastert from those dinos, the members of the New Democrat Coalition. There are a lot of people that read your blog, let them know that they can take action, that they can be involved.

Thanks for offering to help. :hi:

[H2O Man]

31. Okay.

will do!

[katinmn]

27. Yes, we have to let them know we are watching

This bill will turn millions of Americans into indentured servants, just to give more money to bloated corporations.

[merh]

30. We have to let them know that we are the voters, not the

corporations.

We, the people, are watching them and want them to stand up for the people and not the corporations.

[thecorster]

32. kick

:kick:

[merh]

33. Thanks for the kick

I hope people will put their bitchin' in action and call the members of congress on this!

PLEASE............

[diamond14]

66. kick....call/phone/fax YOUR congress critters TODAY....

:kick:

[itzamirakul]

34. ok...WILL DO....KICK!

KICK

[diamond14]

74. kick

:kick:

[liberalla]

35. kick

kick!!!!

[merh]

36. kick

:kick:

[xmas74]

37. Kick so that everyone can still see this!

:kick:

[in_cog_ni_to]

38. I'm in!

I'll be gone until 3:00 Tuesday, but when I return I will start calling and faxing. I have this thread bookmarked.

:kick:

[merh]

39. Thank you for offering to call

and for kicking this thread!

Hello folks, can we take some action and make them hear us? PLEASE!


:kick:

[northamericancitizen]

40. Be pro-active and keep this kicked !

[ultraist]

41. Great idea! I'll make calls

Please kick this again Tue as a reminder. Thanks!

[merh]

42. I'll be kicking it for the next several days, until Tuesday,

so that we can get folks involved and active. We must let the idiots and turncoats in Washington that we won't take their crap. They have to care about the citizens over the corporations, we will make them realize that.

[ultraist]

43. thanks!

:yourock:

[merh]

44. You rock too!

thanks! :toast:

[liberalla]

46. kick again! Plus something else!

Great opinion piece regarding new bankruptcy bill:

Credit card industry pulling off appalling bankruptcy legislation coup

By Marianne Means

PRESIDENT Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress are absolutely brilliant at targeting a political problem and applying the wrong solution.

Just as with Social Security, the anti-bankruptcy bill now sailing through Congress is a damaging misfire. It holds credit card companies blameless for punitive overcharges and hidden fees but penalizes unwary consumers trapped by the cards' unnecessarily high interest rates and fees.

The bill is disgraceful. Of course individuals should pay off their debts. There is no free lunch. But lunch shouldn't carry sneaky billing tricks that confuse decent folks already burdened with high medical costs or other unexpected financial misfortunes.

Until now, bankruptcy court has been their best way to protect themselves against excessive legal claims.

The credit card industry donated some $40 million to the campaigns of political candidates over the past decade, in addition to spending untold millions on lobbying to achieve this measure. After several false starts over the past eight years, the politicians obviously got the message.

Consumers, by contrast, were pretty much on their own without a similarly concerted, high visibility campaign to defend their interests. And so we credit-card holders are on notice. It's getting nasty out there. It's not fair but that's the way politics works.

The industry has successfully flooded families with unsolicited come-ons to lure the unwary, including teenagers and college students, not known for serious fiscal responsibility. The companies' marketing tactics are designed to pick on folks who are not financial geniuses.

~snip~

Two potential 2008 presidential candidates were caught up in the push to give the credit card companies more power. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist was the driving force behind it, which will sit well with the conservative GOP business constituency. But Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., supported it as well, selling out the middle-class credit- card users who should be a Democratic constituency.

For Biden, the politics of this was local. MBNA, the No. 3 U.S. credit-card issuer, is Delaware's top private employer.

Columnist Marianne Means can be reached bye e-mail at [e-mail] .

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/Stories/0,1413,206~11851~2757714,00.html

[merh]

48. I would hate to see MBNA have to let folks go in Delaware

but that is not excuse for this awful legislation! Thanks for the article.

:hi:

[EFerrari]

47. You got it, merh. And will forward the action. n/t

[merh]

53. Thanks!

:hi: Let's hope we can get folks to care about this, enough to be heard and to make a difference! :hi:

[Theres-a]

49. I'm in-just tell me exactly what to do-call the WH?

[merh]

52. Call your representative, call your senator, call the WH and tell

them what you think of the bankruptcy bill and them voting for corporations over the citizens.

Thanks! :hi: (A belated welcome to DU! :hi:)

[Mixxster]

50. Kick

[EFerrari]

51. kick

[GetTheRightVote]

54. calling for it as well

:kick:

[merh]

57. Let's see if anyone in the night threads is interested!

:kick:

[liberalla]

55. Get ready!!! Tomorrow's the day!

Call, call, call, call, call, call, call, call, call, call, call, call, call !!!

or

FAX, fax, fax, fax, fax, fax, fax, fax, fax, fax, fax, fax, !!!

[merh]

56. Let them know how disgusting this bill truly is and how disgusted

you are with them for supporting it! WE THE PEOPLE HAVE TO BE HEARD!

They represent us, not the damned corporations.

[lonestarnot]

58. Yesssss Will do this n/t

[Theres-a]

59. Kick

[merh]

60. CALL CONGRESS!

Tell Congress: Don't Pass a Morally Bankrupt Budget!

As Christians committed to social justice, we believe that budgets are moral documents. Apparently, Congress didn't get the memo.

The House and Senate Budget Committees approved budgets last week that make dramatic cuts to Medicaid, Food Stamps, and countless other low-income programs while extending tax cuts and (unbelievably) proposing new ones for the wealthiest Americans. This week, the budgets will be discussed and voted on by the full House and Senate, with all members of Congress being able to participate.

Your response to our "The Budget is a Moral Document" campaign has been overwhelming. Almost 20,000 of you have sent e-mails to Congress in the past month, and staff on Capitol Hill report they have never seen this much constituent response about the budget. As people of faith, we must now ramp up our efforts and send one clear message to Congress: Don't pass a morally bankrupt budget!

Here are the two most important things you can do.

Step 1

Call your senators and representative now! Sojourners and Call to Renewal have set up a toll-free phone number for you to reach Congress today only (Tuesday):

[phone]
This number will connect you to the Capitol switchboard. Ask for your senator or representative by name). Once you're connected, tell them to stand up for your values by:

* Voting YES
* on amendments that restore funding for Medicaid, Food Stamps, Earned Income Tax Credits, Child Care, and other key work-supports for low-income families. Voting YES
* on amendments that repeal tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Voting NO
on any budget that goes against biblical and moral principles by fattening the rich at the expense of the poor.

Some tips about how to make a successful call!

* Introduce yourself as a constituent and as a person of faith. Say what city or town you're from. Remember: They are your public servants.

* Make your request. Remember that you are asking them do something specific (voting yes or no on various proposals), and try to keep calls under two or three minutes.

* Make it personal. Explain quickly how this budget will affect you, your friends, or your city/state.

* Be polite. Remember, the people answering the phone will get plenty of these calls today, and it's their job to report to their boss what you tell them. Make sure to say "thank you" at the end of the call.

* Repeat two times. Please call both your senators and your representative(s). Don't disregard an elected official because you think s/he is too liberal or conservative. Everyone needs to hear this message.

* Don't give up. Having trouble getting through? Call your senators and representatives' offices directly (Look up your senators here and your representatives here).

* Don't be discouraged if you can't get through on the first try - busy signals mean others are being heard and you are making a difference!

Step 2

E-mail Congress! Send an e-mail to your senators and representatives about these issues.


http://go.sojo.net/campaign/morally_bankrupt_budget/step1.tcl

[Theres-a]

61. Just called the white house

If you'd like to leave a comment for the president,press 1.The operator said she'd pass my comment on.Let's get calling,operators are standing by!

[diamond14]

63. kick....get on the phone/fax/email...TODAY

:kick:

[diamond14]

64. HELP !...call VA...call Senator john warner's RURAL offices..easy connect

maybe you're TRAVELING and CALLING FROM BOSTON....


Senator John Warner....

Washington Office

Address:
225 Russell Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Telephone:
[phone]
[phone] FAX

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
9:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.


Midlothian District Office
Address:
5309 Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Midlothian, Virginia 23112
Telephone:
[phone]
[phone] FAX

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

Roanoke District Office
Address:
1003 First Union Bank Building
213 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24011
Telephone:
[phone]
[phone] FAX

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.


Abingdon District Office
Address:
235 Federal Building
180 West Main Street
P.O. Box 887
Abingdon, Virginia 24210
Telephone:
[phone]
[phone] FAX

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.


Norfolk District Office
Address:
4900 World Trade Center
Norfolk, Virginia 23510
Telephone:
[phone]
[phone] FAX

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

[diamond14]

65. WHOOAAA...called senator john warner's RURAL fundie offices

It's GREAT...they're not busy, because they are FUNDIES...a very nice CHRISTIAN woman told me that she is SHOCKED that warner is not supporting the poor...she had NO IDEA, but she fully supports Christian DUers phone drive....hahahaha....


so now, we have help...FUNDIES....this polite woman WROTE down all the information...and told me how WONDERFUL this remark was:


VOTE NO
on any budget that goes against biblical and moral principles by fattening the rich at the expense of the poor....



we blessed each other and prayed together briefly...and that nice woman from Senator warner's fundie office will make CERTAIN that the senator gets my message, and she is CALLING AROUND NOW to the 'jerry falwell' congregation to get WARNER to VOTE NO on the budget.....



ROFL.....joined with Virginia fundies to STOP THE BUDGET....

[merh]

69. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

:hug:

It is empowering to call them and voice your objections to legislation and/or support for budget amendments to support the less fortunate!

Thank you so much! :yourock:

[sandnsea]

70. That is priceless!

You should make that a separate thread so more people will read it. These people just DO NOT KNOW. We should call their offices all the time.

[merh]

76. You should post this as a separate thread!

It might encourage more people to take the time to call and get involved. Again, thank you! :toast:

[intheflow]

68. I'm calling right now.

All lines are busy. Please hold. Bwaahaaahaaa!

OK, short hold, but was able to give my comment. Thanks for posting this, merh! :hi:

on edit: I'm only sorry I didn't find this post earlier so I could have voted for it being on the greatest page. I tried, but the recommendation time had expired. :(

[merh]

71. Thank you intheflow {{waving}}

I am glad to hear the lines were busy! Good sign that folks are calling (or the operator had to take a bread :shrug:)!

:toast:

[cry baby]

72. Called, wrote emails, wrote snail mail. Probably to no avail...

I live in Tennessee and have Frist, Alexander, and Marsha Blackburn in the house, all repugs.

[merh]

75. These people work by numbers and polls!

If 50 constituents call to opppose legislation and 0 call in favor of it, the 50 to 1 is what they pay attention to. They work by opinion polls and what better opinions than the calls from consituents that have the vote!

Taking part in our government is never futile, making yourself heard is always a good thing to do in a representative government! :yourock:

[cry baby]

73. kick