FIGHTING TO CREATE A MORE PERFECT UNION
QUICK READ: On this Fourth of July, 250 years after our founding, we were again staring down the threat of tyranny, but, like our forebears who fought to free us from the English king, we won’t succumb to Trump’s dictatorial designs. Instead, we will work to elect representatives committed to creating this “more perfect union,” a multiracial, multicultural, pluralistic democracy that works for all Americans, not just the rich and powerful.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
Last Saturday was the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States, when we’re reminded of our Founders’ repudiation of the English monarchy and their truly radical ideas enshrined therein—that governments derived their powers from the consent of the governed, who were all created equal and had the unalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Our present reality, however, belies these promises. We’ve a corrupt dictator in the White House who, helped by an ultraconservative SCOTUS supermajority, has taken a wrecking ball to our institutions, our democracy, our laws, and even our Constitution and has been using his power to punish his enemies and line his pockets.
America’s never fully lived up to the Declaration of Independence’s promises. Too many have been denied dignity, safety, opportunity, freedom, and power because of institutional racism, billionaire buyouts, corrupt policies, voter suppression, poverty wages, massive economic inequality, housing injustice, and systems designed to block opportunity; and Trump 2.0 has made things even worse.
Merely electing more Democrats or just undoing Trump’s massive damage won’t solve our problems.
America desperately needs elected officials committed to making the structural changes necessary to build a fair economy that levels the economic and political playing fields, where neighbors look out for one another, our government works for everyone, and all wrongdoers are held accountable.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thanks to Trump and his ultraconservative SCOTUS supermajority, our institutions and democracy are in shambles. What America desperately needs is not a return “the good old days” which weren’t good for many Americans but the emergence of elected officials prepared to make the structural changes needed to level the economic and political playing fields and create institutions that encourage neighbors to look out for one another, ensure that our government works for everyone, and hold all wrongdoers accountable. I expect you to embrace these truths, commit to carrying them out, and trumpet how they will be implemented in 2026 and beyond.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thanks to Trump and his ultraconservative SCOTUS supermajority, our institutions and democracy are in shambles. What America desperately needs is not a return “the good old days” which weren’t good for many Americans but the emergence of elected officials prepared to make the structural changes needed to level the economic and political playing fields and create institutions that encourage neighbors to look out for one another, ensure that our government works for everyone, and hold all wrongdoers accountable. I expect you to embrace these truths, commit to carrying them out, and trumpet how they will be implemented in 2026 and beyond.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Thanks to Trump and his ultraconservative SCOTUS supermajority, our institutions and democracy are in shambles, your constituents are suffering, and you violated your oath of office. I intend to hold you accountable for your refusal to comply with your constitutional duties and vote you out of office in November.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thanks to Trump and his ultraconservative SCOTUS supermajority, our institutions and democracy are in shambles. What America desperately needs is not a return “the good old days” which weren’t good for many Americans but the emergence of elected officials prepared to make the structural changes needed to level the economic and political playing fields and create institutions that encourage neighbors to look out for one another, ensure that our government works for everyone, and hold all wrongdoers accountable. I expect you to embrace these truths, commit to carrying them out, and trumpet how they will be implemented in 2026 and beyond.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thanks to Trump and his ultraconservative SCOTUS supermajority, our institutions and democracy are in shambles, your constituents are suffering, and you violated your oath of office. I intend to hold you accountable for your refusal to comply with your constitutional duties and vote you out of office in November.
Script for Maxine Dexter (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thanks to Trump and his ultraconservative SCOTUS supermajority, our institutions and democracy are in shambles. What America desperately needs is not a return “the good old days” which weren’t good for many Americans but the emergence of elected officials prepared to make the structural changes needed to level the economic and political playing fields and create institutions that encourage neighbors to look out for one another, ensure that our government works for everyone, and hold all wrongdoers accountable. I expect you to embrace these truths, commit to carrying them out, and trumpet how they will be implemented in 2026 and beyond.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thanks to Trump and his ultraconservative SCOTUS supermajority, our institutions and democracy are in shambles. What America desperately needs is not a return “the good old days” which weren’t good for many Americans but the emergence of elected officials prepared to make the structural changes needed to level the economic and political playing fields and create institutions that encourage neighbors to look out for one another, ensure that our government works for everyone, and hold all wrongdoers accountable. I expect you to embrace these truths, commit to carrying them out, and trumpet how they will be implemented in 2026 and beyond.
Script for Janelle Bynum (OR-05)
Oregon City office: 503-387-8651 |DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thanks to Trump and his ultraconservative SCOTUS supermajority, our institutions and democracy are in shambles. What America desperately needs is not a return “the good old days” which weren’t good for many Americans but the emergence of elected officials prepared to make the structural changes needed to level the economic and political playing fields and create institutions that encourage neighbors to look out for one another, ensure that our government works for everyone, and hold all wrongdoers accountable. I expect you to embrace these truths, commit to carrying them out, and trumpet how they will be implemented in 2026 and beyond.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thanks to Trump and his ultraconservative SCOTUS supermajority, our institutions and democracy are in shambles. What America desperately needs is not a return “the good old days” which weren’t good for many Americans but the emergence of elected officials prepared to make the structural changes needed to level the economic and political playing fields and create institutions that encourage neighbors to look out for one another, ensure that our government works for everyone, and hold all wrongdoers accountable. I expect you to embrace these truths, commit to carrying them out, and trumpet how they will be implemented in 2026 and beyond.
FURTHER READING
Flinching from Power: Three Mistakes Democrats Need to Own
Has Trump Changed Democracy Forever? We Asked 11 Historians
On Tyranny—Special 250th Edition
Let Us Celebrate a 250-Year History of American Radicalism
How Much Democracy Does America Really Have?
Sunday Thoughts: How to Begin the Mending?
In Trump’s Second Midterm, Democrats Are Looking for Fighters
