Presidential Actions on Environment, Science, and Public Health. The following Executive Orders, Proclamations, and Memoranda represent a change in emphasis of the administrations and address the importance of issues that have been reversed or ignored over the last several years.
The BEST way to elect progressives is to invest in the grassroots organizing groups that are on the ground 24/7/365 doing the work to go beyond platitudes and instead are achieving public policy wins for normally marginalized people at the local, state and national levels.
They also help these people organize themselves so that they can advocate for their own priorities — a novel concept— which leads to them BEING and, importantly, FEELING empowered. This leads to increased trust in institutions and the political system, which in turn grows participation and voter turnout.
The 2020 Census has been a political tug-of-war, with the Trump administration seeking to restrict its ability to include undocumented immigrants and marginalized communities in general. Check out this “deep dive” into the story, and the importance, of the census.
This Thanksgiving, PEG is featuring a guest contribution from Patricia Anderson, a member of Temple Beth Emeth that acknowledges and honors indigenous peoples in Michigan. We say the words, “We acknowledge with respect,” but are we who live here now truly being respectful of the gifts and losses of the people who shared their lands with us? It was suggested that perhaps, as a small gesture of respect, of thanks beyond the words of acknowledgment, some of us may wish to make a contribution to local organizations that support Native American communities in Michigan with food and other resources.
Americans across race, place of origin, and zip code turned out in record numbers to stand with and for each other, despite the pandemic and deliberate barriers from day-long lines to the elimination of drop boxes.
In an unexpected “win” for voting rights and justice, it was discovered recently Haywood County, Tennessee, was overwhelmingly blue in a sea of red. Historians and analysts (and myself) think there might be a correlation with the dark past and conciliatory and healing efforts that have taken place in Haywood County in recent years.
Change only happens when people wanted something different. My Uncle Elbert was prescribed a life that he didn’t want to take “as is” so he fought for something different and better for himself and the people he loved. The residents in Haywood County have made a statement, through their votes, that they want something different for Haywood County and America.
If you have moved in the last 30 days, you will need to re-register. You can update your information through this online voter registration page before October 19 or go to your city or township clerk. If you have moved and have not changed your address for voting, you will need to do that.
If you have received your absentee ballot and then decided to vote in person on election day, contact your clerk for instructions. If you need assistance with your absentee ballot, read the specific instructions regarding that.
The next battleground in the war between Republicans and Democrats for control of the electoral map is absentee voting. As increasing numbers of voters eligible to vote by mail, the pressures created on officials by this expanded process can lead to increasing numbers of ballots rejected.
The best way to manage the COVID-19 challenge in Michigan’s prison system is to release as many people as possible as soon as possible. It can be done quickly, without compromising public safety, and in the best interest of public health. To save lives, it is imperative that the Governor act immediately to expand who is eligible for parole, expand the use of her commutation powers, expand parole boards, and expedite the review of wrongful conviction cases in front of the conviction integrity unit.
It is urgent that Congress and the White House fully fund the United States Postal Service in the next stimulus bill. Private companies won’t deliver to certain remote areas — and, right now, the Postal Service is delivering lifesaving medications and food, supporting voting by mail-in primary states and helping other services necessary for our nation to continue to operate.