11/04/2017
Over 400,000 foster kids in US waiting for homes and many more new borns abt to find their way to adoptive families.
BUT!!!
The GOP's new tax bill (in addition to some other truly terrible things) is going to eliminate the Adoption Tax Credit that so many families rely on to offset the cost of adoption and raising children who are often special needs. The elimination of the Adoption Tax Credit will without question take away important financial assistance to folks trying to adopt foster youth. But there's good news! The GOP tax bill hasn't been voted on yet and there's still an opportunity to make changes. There's a few ways you can help:
1. The best way is to call your representatives and senators and explain that you oppose the elimination of the Adoption Tax Credit. It literally takes just a few minutes and isn't nearly as intimidating as it might seem. You can find your congress members at https://whoismyrepresentative.com
2. Go to https://adoptiontaxcredit.org/take-action/ to click a button and send your congress members a pre written message.
TAKE ACTION!
Congress is moving forward quickly on tax reform, and it is essential that we remind them of the importance of the Adoption Tax Credit. The “Unified Framework” recently agreed upon between the Cong…
05/23/2017
Urge your representatives to protect the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program in the FY18 budget! As the letter's author Rachel Fauber puts it: "It would be just devastating if this program disappeared after so many students made decisions about their futures thinking they could rely on this program."
Dear ___,
The new FY 2018 budget proposal suggests eliminating the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and institutes an income-driven loan repayment program that unfairly punishes lower-income, public service-oriented graduate and professional borrowers. PSLF is critical for those seeking to serve this country as social workers, librarians, public defenders and prosecutors, legal aid lawyers, and many others who must obtain a graduate education to pursue their vocation. Eliminating or restricting PSLF will lead to a system where only independently wealthy individuals will be able to pursue a life of service without shouldering a crushing level of student loan debt for the majority of their adult life. Please stand strong defending this crucial program, which allows dedicated public servants to pursue their passion for helping others without signing up for a life of penury. Refuse to engage in the "zero-sum game" thinking that pits undergraduate and graduate educational access against each other, and protect PSLF as meaningful and critical investment in our future.
I appreciate your service to _____ and the nation. Thank you for standing up for what is right over what may be politically expedient.
Sincerely,
______
05/03/2017
From Brenna Stein -- thank you!
Advocate for a special commission to investigate 45-Russia ties. Newly-confirmed Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein can approve a special prosecutor or commission, but has previously hedged on this action. Speak up.
POSTCARD: USDoJ, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20530-0001
Call: Dept. of Justice comment line 202-353-1555
Script: I am among the 58% of Americans who want an independent commission to investigate Trump-Russia ties. Trust in the four current investigations is compromised, and the Attorney General’s credibility is tarnished. Only an independent commission or special prosecutor will restore confidence. (originally found on Jen Hoffman's Activist pag)
05/01/2017
Written by an MD/PhD that researches infectious diseases. Concerned abt. the Trump administration entrusting the fate of vaccines to vaccine-skeptics.
04/23/2017
science-based policy NOT policy-based science
04/21/2017
Dear Representative Raskin, Congratulations on your victory this past Nov. Ever since the election of President Trump, I have not felt as welcome in the US. While I was born in Philadelphia, PA, there has been an unwelcoming tone recently by the Alt-Right. I think about my parents who immigrated to the country back in the '60s and '70s. Both parents contributed to the US and have paid taxes. Yet, the alt-right would view people like my parents as leeches feeding on white Americans.I hope that you reach out to your colleagues on the other side of the aisle and pass immigration reforms.
04/20/2017
Successful Write-it-Forward information and writing night. Thank you all. Mostly new faces and some great group connections made. We'll post postcard copies soon.
04/10/2017
We love Take Care! Great resource when writing your letters, emails, and postcards. Get more facts and insight there: and bring it back to Write-it-Forward to share your text with others.
Take Care
Take Care is devoted to insightful, accessible, and timely legal analysis of the President’s adherence to that duty.
04/07/2017
A few Friday reminders: 1. Please consider joining our in-person written and brainstorming session on April 19th: RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/192686584556488/ 2. Please keep submitting form letters to strengthen your collective (written) voice: https://goo.gl/forms/ruaoOO7yr5dasYGE2 Wishing you a beautiful day!
WRITE-IT-FORWARD: Share a form or personal letter (to Congress) to exchange in the public commons
The goal of this project is to strengthen our collective voice because we can't all be topic experts and most of us have to go to work or have other non-negotiable commitments. The goal is to develop and living clearinghouse for letters/texts that address National issues/legislation. We strive to fa...
04/03/2017
April 19th 7.30PM SAVE THE DATE for our writing event. https://www.facebook.com/events/192686584556488/?ti=icl. Please RSVP and advertise far and wide. We have this cool flier for you to print too!!
03/30/2017
Don’t just be angry about what’s happening—join fellow citizens and take a stand! On the calendar 19 APRIL at Politics and Prose Bookstore (in the Den) is the Write-it-Forward writing evening. Remember to RSVP here to join the fun.
https://www.facebook.com/events/192686584556488/
Thank you to all the supporters!! And we'd love more ppl. to join! :)
Write-It-Forward — in The Den | Politics and Prose Bookstore and Coffeehouse
D.C.'s premier cultural hub with a steady lineup of author events, classes, and trips. Shop for books online—we ship!
03/27/2017
The cost of security for Melania and Barron to remain at Trump Tower is $183 million/year.
So, in essence the Federal government is giving the Trump family a $183 million annual voucher so his son can attend the elite private prep school of his choice.
Meanwhile, Trump's budget would completely eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA, with an annual budget of only $148 million, is able to provide seed money for arts programming in literally every Congressional district in the country.
So, on the one hand you have a $183 million school voucher for a single 10-year-old at an elite private school. On the other hand you have a program that impacts arts and cultural programming throughout the entire nation.
This is not normal. Pass it on to those making decisions.