Chop Wood, Carry Missouri

Hey Team Missouri!

It has been a tough week overall, but I hope you are finding community and actions to help get you through it. I know I am.

As Elon Musk and Trump continue to illegally fire federal workers it’s key to remember that Members of Congress are also federal employees, but Musk is not their boss, and neither is Trump. We are.

It is time that we – the people and the employer – hold our elected representatives accountable.

Actions this week:

Demand Town Halls

Republican lawmakers have been hiding from their constituent, unable to explain the widespread firing of federal workers and the potential cuts to Medicaid and Social Security. Residents in Missouri's 7th Congressional District called on Rep. Eric Burlison to hold a town hall. However, he does not feel that town halls are an effective way to connect with constituents as they only encourage "political nut jobs" to attend.

Call your elected official and demand a town hall during their recess next week.

Find your senator here

Find your house member here

SCRIPT:

“Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

I’m calling because I know the Senate/House is on recess next week and I want to attend the Senator’s/Representative’s town hall. May I ask if s/he is doing one, and if so where it is?”

If they are doing one: “Great! Please thank the (Name of Rep) for being accountable to his/her constituents. I’ll do my best to attend. And please make sure s/he talks about what s/he is doing to rein in Elon Musk and protect the programs Americans rely on for survival. Thanks.”

If none is planned: “I’m extremely disappointed to hear that. America is in crisis—prices are skyrocketing, the stock market is crashing, economists are saying a recession is likely, Trump is gutting the Board of Education, and Elon Musk is attacking Social Security and Veterans’ health. It’s unacceptable to avoid your constituents at a time like this. Ask the senator/representative to schedule an in-person town hall right away or expect to lose his/her job next year. Thanks.”

If you get Voicemail: “I’m calling to ask the senator/representative to hold a town hall during the recess to hear from their constituents. We are concerned about what’s happening in Washington and need to know how they will be helping to keep our Social Security and Veteran’s health care safe. We expect access to our elected officials as they represent us and no one else. Thanks.

Actually, there is one MO 2^nd district U.S. representative who WILL be having a town hall this weekend. The “Town Hall With or Without Congresswoman Ann Wagner” will be held on Saturday, March 15^th from 12:00-3:00pm in Arnold, MO. Please register on Eventbrite.

Write a letter to your local paper

An attendee at a St. Louis rally in support of laid-off federal workers earlier this month told PBS News:

“The government made a promise to veterans…. no matter what happens to us, they are going to take care of us…. That’s the deal that President Lincoln made for us. And that’s why people sign up. Because they know our country is not going to let us down. And right now, it seems like the people in charge are letting us down.”

In addition to calling your representatives, write a Letter to the Editor in your local paper about the issues that concern you, as well as your disappointment in your lawmaker dismissing their constituents, and, in some instances, trash-talking them as well.

Do Not Pass the Buck to God – Show Up

God did not get us into this mess. Musk and Trump’s government cutbacks did. But MO 4th district Congressman Mark Alford told a crowd of fired federal workers that “God has a plan” for them during a Belton, MO town hall in late February.

I do not have anything against prayer, but I would call on my elected official right now and not only the Almighty. Get a group of friends and/or fellow activists together and show up at their offices on a regular basis, like this Kansas City Indivisible group has been doing.

Respect the Will of the People

Last November, Missouri voters said YES to Proposition A, which includes paid sick leave. But now, some lawmakers want to undo that with House Bill 567. Even though voters clearly supported Prop A, this new bill is moving forward.

Something similar is happening with Amendment 3, which passed last year. Now, lawmakers want to ban most abortions again, but this time, they don’t need voter signatures to get it on the ballot.

Some lawmakers think voters shouldn't decide big issues, but others want to protect your right to vote on laws. There’s a new proposal, HJR 38, to stop lawmakers from undoing voter-approved laws so easily.

The bottom line: Missouri voters made decisions, but some politicians are trying to change them. You can fight back through meetings and a movement called the Respect Voters Coalition. You can also get involved by joining town halls to help protect your voting rights!

Ask more of our ‘employees’ (elected officials)

In a commentary by Bridgette Dunlap in the Missouri Independent entitled, “We need our senators to choose Missouri over MAGA in Trump’s war on the Constitution” , she writes:

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk do not care who gets hurt in their chaotic efforts to gut the government. Missouri’s Republican senators are doing nothing to stop them.”

And yet, our representatives seem as indifferent to their own job security as they are about us.

If we want better employees, we need to stop hiring quiet quitters. Talk with your friends, family, neighbors, and acquaintances and encourage them to start asking more hard-hitting questions of anyone applying for the job of MO Senator or Representative.

From the ground up: Support our state in down-ballot races

Most laws that affect us every single day are made on the state and local level. The only organization funding down-ballot Dems in the state gave over $230K to Missouri Dems last cycle. And most of the funding went to rural candidates. That’s why it’s crucial we support Dems up and down the ballot. Get involved and learn more at Blue Missouri.

Whew! That’s a lot but there is a lot going on! We are in this fight together and will keep working and fighting for the people of Missouri!

Jess (and Anna, MO partner + Andrea who helps with state newsletters)