“Gradually, then suddenly”. This phrase - lifted from Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises - has often been used to describe an unexpected occurrence that appears to be quite random, but can be explained by a history of underlying causes. It was the title of an excellent 2022 film produced by Philadelphia’s Sam Katz about the bankruptcy of Detroit, and Heather Cox Richardson has recently invoked the phrase to explain various stages of progress and setbacks in America’s quest for social and economic justice.
Nowhere, however, has anyone done more to exploit this principle than Ed Gillespie and Karl Rove. After the Citizens United decision in 2010, they used their SuperPAC, American Crossroads, to launch REDMAP, a plan that poured money into state house races across the country.
Their reasoning was simple. Control the state houses in 2010, and you control how Congressional seats are redistricted for the next ten years. Needless to say, their efforts were extraordinarily successful. The effects of gerrymandering in Pennsylvania were so destructive, that by 2016, the Democrat to Republican ratio in the state house was 81-to-122; the state senate had a Republican supermajority of 16-to-34, and the commonwealth’s congressional delegation was composed of only five Democrats and 13 Republicans.
In the eight intervening years, we have regained a lot of lost ground. Democrats now enjoy a slim majority in Pennsylvania’s House and in its Congressional delegation. But imagine what our state might look like if we had Democrats in charge of Pennsylvania’s government over the last 15 years. Would the Tree of Life synagogue tragedy have been avoided due to better firearm and mental health legislation? Would Pennsylvania be a more carbon-free state and would consumers’ energy bills be reduced because of the Commonwealth’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative? Would more school districts in the state have better resources and reduced class sizes and would homeowners receive smaller property tax bills due to proper funding of Pennsylvania’s schools? Would the commonwealth still have a minimum wage of only $7.25/hour?
Yes, the top of ticket is extremely important this November, because democracy is on the line; but the state races further down the ballot will determine how clean, safe, healthy, educated, and prosperous the citizens of our commonwealth will be. Let’s not settle for turning back, or even accepting the status quo. Let’s move forward, and here is how.
Postcards:
We are supporting two state senatorial candidates this election cycle through postcards: Nicole Ruscitto (SD-37), and Jim Wertz (SD-49). Nicole, a teacher from the district is interested in properly funding public education in Pennsylvania, raising the minimum wage, and protecting women’s health. Her opponent is the incumbent, MAGA Republican Devlin Robinson.
Robinson has signed letters in support of the Texas lawsuit against Pennsylvania’s 2020 election, and delaying certification of the electoral votes from the election. He has been given a score of 0% from Climate Cabinet Action.
Jim Wertz is a teacher, who believes that we need to defend democracy, protect abortion, respect workers’ rights, and fund education. His opponent, incumbent Dan Laughlin, has signed a letter in support of the Texas lawsuit against Pennsylvania’s 2020 election. Conservation Voters gave Laughlin a 0% rating in its most recent assessment.
If you are interested in helping to elect Nicole or Jim by writing postcards, please reply to this email.
Also, if you would like to make a contribution to support our postcard effort, you can do so here. Every contribution of $6.00 helps us to purchase 10 postcards with stamps.
Canvass:
Saturday (August 24), 10:30am Canvass for Elizabeth Moro. She is running against incumbent Craig Williams. Williams’s main claim to fame during his tenure has been trying to remove Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner from office. Elizabeth has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood, the Climate Cabinet, PSEA, Emily’s List, and many other organizations. You can register here. Philadelphia’s carpool contingent leaves from High Point Café Allen Lane at 9.15am.
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Phone Banking
Phone bank for Patty Kim, who is running for state senate in an election that could flip this seat (SD-15) from red to blue. Patty’s priorities are: affordable housing, protecting reproductive rights, and defending LGBTQ+ citizens against discrimination. You can phone bank for her this Wednesday evening in the comfort of your own home, car, or coffee shop by signing up here.
Register Voters at Temple University
Sign up for a shift here.
Thanks,
Coleman
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