It’s Time to Burn Up the Phones

[Alan Grayson]

“Burn up the phones” – what is that, some new cyberterrorism threat? A wild new “app”? Nope; it’s what happens when you, and like-minded others, exercise your right to be heard.

It’s time to burn up the phones on Capitol Hill.

The Powers That Be have set a vote on the horrific “Fast Track” bill tomorrow. (I would call it “execrable,” but I’m not exactly sure what that means.)

If you care about anything, anything at all, then please pick up the phone, call [phone], ask for your Congressman, and register your disapproval. Say this: “Vote NO on Fast Track.”

If you feel that your talk needs to be pointed, then here are your talking points:

(1) Our trade debt stands at eleven trillion dollars ($11,000,000,000,000.00). That’s more than $35,000 for every human being in America – including you. “Fast Track” would pave the way for new trade bills that would increase that. How are we ever going to pay that money back?
(2) Fast Track applies to whatever the Executive Branch calls a trade agreement, even if it has nothing to do with trade.
(3) Fast Track unconstitutionally restricts Congress from holding hearings, conducting investigations, debating a bill and offering amendments – basically, its job. In fact, it could restrict each House Member to only 83 seconds of debate.
(4) No other bills get this special treatment – not bills on taxes, or Social Security, or defense, or transportation, or healthcare. Nothing.
(5) Fast Track applies to trade bills that the Executive Branch hasn’t even released to the public.
(6) None of the “standards” that Fast Track sets for trade agreements is enforceable – not one single standard.

Or you can just say that you’re tired of Middle Class America getting hosed. I sure am.

If you have a Democratic Congressman who “gets it” on Fast Track, then you can call one of these undecideds instead:

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) – [phone]
Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA) – [phone]
Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) [phone]
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) – [phone]
Rep. John Carney (D-DE) – [phone]
Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) – [phone]
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) – [phone]

Try flattery – there’s plenty of that in Washington, D.C. “Sir or Ma’am, if you vote against Fast Track, your courage and leadership will ring in dulcet tones for generations to come. You will become a legend, not only in your own mind, but in the minds of every living human being, and fetuses too. Vote against Fast Track, and when you walk amongst your people, as they glance downward in respect, they will sing your praises: basses, baritones, tenors, contraltos, sopranos and even falsettos. They will shower you with flowers – not only mere annuals or biennials, but perennials that will bloom in the same manner as your overwhelming renown. You will be beloved and worshipped by considerably more than 50.1% of the electorate. If you vote against Fast Track, then everyone – and I mean everyone – will like the cut of your jib.”

Look, it’s showtime. Make the call. Let’s try to inject some democracy into the plutocracy.

Courage,

Rep. Alan Grayson

[daleanime]

1. Hell yes....

and thank you.

[Triana]

2. DIRECTORY HERE

I just called my rep and asked him to vote NO on "Fast Track". It takes two minutes or less. DO IT!

http://www.house.gov/representatives/

[chev52]

3. Just called

Today, my Rep. Sanchez is against it. So is her sister Linda against it. Called the other day also. Same with senators a few weeks ago. Boxer and Feinstein were against it but Feinstein finally caved in. Obama must have made an offer she couldn't refuse.

[Sherman A1]

4. K&R!

[antigop]

5. kick.