Action, Gun Violence Prevention, News and Events, Regional and National News, RVUSA Priority Issues

Thoughts and Prayers and N.R.A Funding

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From THE NEW YORK TIMES
By DAVID LEONHARDT, IAN PRASAD PHILBRICK and STUART A. THOMPSONOCT. 4, 2017

Most Americans support stronger gun laws — laws that would reduce deaths. But Republicans in Congress stand in the way. They fear alienating their primary voters and the National Rifle Association.

Below are the top 10 career recipients of N.R.A. funding – through donations or spending to benefit the candidate – among both current House and Senate members, along with their statements about the Las Vegas massacre. These representatives have a lot to say about it. All the while, they refuse to do anything to avoid the next massacre.

Environment, News and Events, Regional and National News, RVUSA Priority Issues

48 Environmental Rules on the Way Out Under Trump

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From THE NEW YORK TIMES
By NADJA POPOVICH and LIVIA ALBECK-RIPKA OCT. 5, 2017

Since taking office in January, President Trump has made eliminating federal regulations a priority. His administration — with help from Republicans in Congress — has often targeted environmental rules it sees as overly burdensome to the fossil fuel industry, including major Obama-era policies aimed at fighting climate change.

To date, the the Trump administration has sought to reverse nearly 50 environmental rules, according to an analysis by The New York Times.

Educational Resources and Tools, Gun Violence Prevention, News and Events, Regional and National News, RVUSA Priority Issues

America’s Gun Crisis – In One Chart

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1,516 mass shootings in 1,735 days: America’s gun crisis – in one chart

The attack at a country music festival in Las Vegas that left at least 58 people dead is the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history – but there were six other mass shootings in America this past week alone.

No other developed nation comes close to the rate of gun violence in America. Americans own an estimated 265m guns, more than one gun for every adult.

Data compiled by the Gun Violence Archive reveals a shocking human toll: there is a mass shooting – defined as four or more people shot in one incident, not including the shooter – every nine out of 10 days on average. 

Click here to read more.

Educational Resources and Tools, Gun Violence Prevention, News and Events, Regional and National News, RVUSA Priority Issues

8 Charts that Explain America’s Gun Culture

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(CNN)It’s beyond debate that the shootings outside the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas late Sunday night will go into the history books as the largest mass shooting in modern US history, with at least 59 dead and more than 500 wounded.

What’s also indisputable is that this shooting — like the Pulse nightclub shooting before it and Newtown before that and Columbine before that — will land in a political culture that is deeply divided on the proper role for guns in society and the need for — or lack of a need for — stricter gun control measures in the country. 

When a gun is used to commit an act of mass violence, two schools of thought immediately assert themselves — both of which seek to explain the genesis of these incidents: 1) We need more gun control laws to stop this cycle of violence 2) Bad people will do bad things no matter what the gun laws are.

    That’s reflective of a massive culture disconnect between those who grew up with guns and view them as an extension of their fundamental freedoms and those who did not and view guns far more skeptically.

    Here are eight charts that tell the story of our divided culture on guns — and the violent acts carried out with them. These numbers were primarily drawn from extensive historical data collected by Gallup and Pew Research Center on cultural attitudes toward guns and gun violence. 

    Action, Gun Violence Prevention, RVUSA Priority Issues

    Make the Call for Gun Control

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    In the aftermath of yet another horrible shooting, this time in Las Vegas with at least 59 killed and hundreds wounded, we are faced yet again with the reminder that something needs to be done.

    Raise your voice for gun control. Make at least one phone call a day to advocate for gun control.

    Contact your representatives

    Click here to raise your voice about gun laws.

    Click here to learn how to write to Congress. 

    Click here to find your federal legislators.

    Click here to find your local legislators.

    Action, News and Events, RVUSA News and Updates

    Weekly Action Update – October 10, 2017

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    Thank you to everyone who joined us at our general meeting last week! We are proud of what RaisingVoicesUSA has accomplished, and we hope you are as energized for the months ahead as we are.

    Here’s how you can take action and get involved this week.

    Engage

    Get caught up from our September meeting.

    At our meeting on September 26, we provided a snapshot of everything we accomplished during the summer months and a roadmap for how we are moving forward as an organization. We also heard an inspiring presentation from Dr. Andrea Libresco from Hofstra University on the power of civic engagement. (And we did enjoy some sheet cake)! Read the minutes to get brought up to speed.

    Review the Meeting Minutes

    Attend an upcoming RaisingVoicesUSA event.

    We’ll be holding a park clean-up event on October 21 [?] at [need location] – bring family and friends to help beautify our green spaces!

    And be sure to mark your calendar for our next general meeting on October 24, which will include a special panel with members of the Hispanic Brotherhood of Long Island [confirm name].

    Educate

    Get ready to vote in local elections in November.

    With Election Day fast approaching in New York, it’s important to get to know the candidates on the ballot. The RaisingVoicesUSA website has a number of resources to help you get informed:

    • A schedule of candidate forums being hosted throughout Nassau County. Candidate forums are an opportunity for you to hear directly from candidates about where they stand on key issues.

    • Candidate responses to our questionnaire on 5 critical issues for residents of the Rockville Centre area. [do we have a link for this?]

    • Links to organizations and resources with helpful information for voters.

    Learn about New York State Amendment Proposals

    In addition to the candidates, there are three key amendments on the ballot in New York State, including one that, if passed, would result in a constitutional convention.

    Read the Proposals

    Empower

    Support hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico

    Hurricane Maria has devastated Puerto Rico’s infrastructure, and relief organizations are facing several challenges as they work to deliver aid and basic supplies to the region. American citizens in the region are in dire need of our help.

    See How You Can Help Hurricane Victims

    Keep raising your voice!

    We know that raising your voice isn’t always easy. But we also know that it works. Since RaisingVoicesUSA began last year, we have written thousands of postcards, made calls, visited our legislators, marched and demonstrated, and we have seen the results of our collective efforts as multiple efforts to repeal the ACA have been defeated and we have held our elected officials accountable for sensible immigration reform.

    We’re just getting started, and we’ll continue to need your help! Visit our website for educational resources on our priority issues, information on how to get in touch with your elected officials, and materials to host your own postcard party!

    Educational Resources and Tools, Healthcare, News and Events, Regional and National News, RVUSA Priority Issues

    Healthcare At Risk – Learn About the Graham Cassidy Bill

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    The US Senate is furiously whipping votes to pass the Graham-Cassidy bill, the Senate’s latest effort to reform and repeal the Affordable Care Act. Passage of Graham-Cassidy will leave millions of Americans without healthcare coverage and worsen coverage for millions more. The bill will also allow states to opt out of essential health benefits protected by the ACA such as maternity care coverage, mental health benefits, and coverage for people with preexisting conditions.

    Click here and here to learn more about this bill and other developments in the healthcare arena.

    Raise your voice – make phone calls. – send postcards. Click here and here to find your representatives. Click here to download postcard templates.

    Action, News and Events, RVUSA News and Updates

    Weekly Action Update – September 19, 2017

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    Fall is in full swing, which means it’s time again for RaisingVoicesUSA monthly meetings! At our first meeting on Tuesday, September 26, we’ll recap what we’ve accomplished as a group and outline our direction for the future. As always, new faces are welcome. See below for time and location details.

    We look forward to seeing you and kicking off a new year of continued civic engagement!

    Ways to take action this week:

    Keep up-to-date with the latest healthcare news

    While Congress has not yet been able to pass healthcare reform, key developments have emerged in the past week. Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the Medicare for All Act 2017 outlining a single-payer healthcare system, while Senators Bill Cassidy and Lindsay Graham introduced a new bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Learn more about these bills, their likelihood of passing, and their implications.

    Prepare for Election Day

    For those of us in Nassau County (and New York State), primary elections are done, and our attention turns to November’s Election. The Nassau County League of Women Voters has planned a full slate of events to help you understand the issues and get to know your local candidates. Attend an event near you if you can and get ready to hit the polls in November!

    RaisingVoicesUSA General Meeting

    Tuesday, September 26, 2017, 7:30 pm
    Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth
    430 DeMott Avenue, Rockville Centre

    Join us at our first meeting following the summer break, where we’ll update you on the work of RaisingVoicesUSA and share information on our plans for the following year. New members are welcome, so please forward this email to family and friends who might be interested in attending.

    Educational Resources and Tools, Healthcare, News and Events, Regional and National News, RVUSA Priority Issues

    “Medicare for All” Plan

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    “Sen. Bernie Sanders unveiled his single-payer health-care proposal, “Medicare for All,” on Wednesday, to a packed room of supporters on Capitol Hill.

    The bill already has 16 Democratic co-sponsors, a number that would have been unimaginable just a year ago. The independent senator from Vermont also released a white paper on how the government might finance such a health-care system, which included an income-based tax increase, an expansion of the estate tax, and a new tax on incomes of the 0.1 percent of Americans.”

    Click here to read more…