Unnatural Capitalism

We Can Change Things

Other things, like capitalism... are not forces of nature; we invented them. They are not immutable and we can change them. --Dr. David Suzuki, Canadian environmental activist

It's the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, so here's a meme giving us a glaring example of capitalism gone off the deep end and the damage it has done--and continues to do--to our planet:

All the waste of water, pollution of the soil and air, and the degradation to our environment--and for what? To make a handful of predominantly white males billions of dollars  in profits each year. A monoculture lawn of non-native grass sprayed with cancer-causing Round-Up doesn't exactly feed your family like a vegetable garden would. It doesn't help with massive rain run off or prevent drought that a stand of trees would in the same place, either. Why have we allowed ourselves to be fooled into supporting billionaires at the expense of our health and future by becoming lawn mower jockeys?

After I read Ruth's comments (below) on "unnatural capitalism"  many seemingly disparate things gelled in my mind. The unnatural, immoral aspects of late-stage capitalism are at the root of most (if not all) of our problems. Can you see how this selfish concept of making profits off the misery of our fellow human beings plays out in the following news items?

Killing Gaza--A documentary film about life for Palestinians under siege in Gaza. Watch the movie here:   https://killinggaza.com/ 

US Suicide Rates Have Climbed Dramatically:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/06/07/617897261/cdc-u-s-suicide-rates-have-climbed-dramatically?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social

Immigrant families separated and deported without due process:
https://www.salon.com/2018/04/24/do-immigrants-in-ice-detention-centers-have-any-human-rights-at-all/

Border Control Kicked, Punched Immigrant Children, Threatened Some with Sexual Abuse:
http://www.newsweek.com/customs-and-border-control-beat-kicked-and-threatened-migrant-children-under-941385

Sandusky, Ohio--114 workers arrested in an immigration raid, leaving young children behind
https://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/50491-utter-chaos-ice-arrests-114-workers-in-immigration

(Dirk Droll covers the immigration topic well at his Beanstock's World blog:  https://beanstocksworld.wordpress.com/2018/06/08/ending-mass-migration/#more-6650 )

CEO Pay: Rewarding or Hoarding? (Or how CEOs make 300+ times more than their employees):  https://youtu.be/IUTcuB5TZdY

4,645 Deaths in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria were "State-Sponsored Mass Killing":
https://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/50534-naomi-klein-4645-deaths-in-puerto-rico-from-hurricane-maria-were-qstate-sponsored-mass-killingq

Puerto Rico Deaths Post-Maria: Nearly 70% Were Over 70 Years
https://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/50592-puerto-rico-deaths-post-maria-nearly-70-were-over-70-years 

In each of these stories and videos, it's  clear what has caused (or exacerbated) the suffering of our fellow human beings--greed. A small handful of individuals stand to make a lot of money off of ongoing wars for oil and resources and selling military grade weapons to Americans who shouldn't have them in the first place. Profits flow like unpolluted, unblocked streams for those who take advantage of immigrant labor/human trafficking/slave wages. And "disaster capitalism"  makes wealth from the pain and despair of others when, through no fault of their own, they lose their homes and livelihoods because of a hurricane or similar destructive natural event (which are predicted to become more intense in severity due to climate change).

If you don't see what I mean, read Ruth's article and think on it awhile. The pieces of the puzzle might just come together. --C.A.M.

Unnatural Capitalism
by Ruth Ann Oskolkoff

Traveling on a bus for over ten hours this weekend, and seeing lots of road, I had a lot of time to think. What really struck me is how unnatural capitalism seems. That's right. UNNATURAL.

The same stores all over--bilking ordinary people from their hard earned money. The same restaurants all over charging exorbitant prices for unhealthy food. The same environmental destruction everywhere. Yes, it makes the one-percent even wealthier, but it leaves the rest of us tired and damaged from working so hard...and sick, then bankrupt. We try to remedy all this with expensive healthcare.
 
Of course, the one-percent actively controls the world to make it increasingly impossible to change anything. Police enforcement becomes terror. Protest is increasingly illegal. Media is shunted off into the back roads, or in the case of Julian Assange put in solitary confinement. Tortured really. Even a highly popular politician like Bernie is just plain cheated--differently in each state. Though so many turned out to vote for him it was already decided.

The way forward is hard, but one thing is certain. Many many of us are wide awake now. Eyes wide open. I'm personally not so sure what tactic will fail or succeed, and I have doubts the old playbook is even that relevant anymore. I've long been a proponent of trying to figure out things in the moment.

I am really only certain of one thing: We can't rely on elected leaders. We the people are the revolution, and the big lie is that some people are better and some are lesser. Why can't we all be artists part of the time after working a four or five hour shift? Who says some people are gifted but most of the rest are not? Why are only some allowed to fulfill their dreams? Why are only some people seen as special or gifted or talented? The rest are left to labor to build a world to profit the one-percent and the rulers with their vision of the complete enslavement of mankind.

BIO: Ruth is a progressive activist in Seattle and a frequent commentator on Facebook.

Here's another good piece to think on.
Character Building

by Sean Nestor

People who experience difficult and even traumatic events tend to be better at developing empathy and compassion -- traits we consider virtuous. They also tend to suffer from depression and suicidal inclinations - traits we consider unfortunate. There is a deep irony and tragedy to all of this.

From personal experience, the desperation I feel from suicidal inclinations has given me the motivation to take risks that have in turn helped me do great things, both for myself and others. And it's never been lost on me that people love what I am motivated to do, but saddened by what motivates me to do it.

I think this dynamic is more important than we think, because people who architect societies often take advantage of this difficult truth. Historically, the powerful have always said that it's actually good to have a society of miserable people, because being miserable is what motivates people to improve themselves -- "It builds character." That's why it makes sense for a few people to get everything while everyone else suffers, or so they say.

Personally, I think that between illness, death, and natural disasters, life is hard enough that we don't need governments and economies manufacturing more "character building" exercises for us. But, that's me -- and that's why I use the desperation I feel as a motivating force to dismantle the power structures behind it.

BIO: Sean Nestor is an educator and activist from Toledo, Ohio. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Single Payer Action Network and Co-Chair of the Lucas County Green Party.

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The Revolution Continues blog turns three years old this month, and we are sad to inform you that one of its co-creators, Barb McMillen, has passed away. Barb will be sorely missed by her family and friends in the political revolution. Barb was a Bernie delegate at the Philadelphia convention in 2016, and she never lost her enthusiasm for the progressive senator from Vermont. 

RIP Barb. May we fight on in your name to build a future to believe in!

BARBARA FIALKOWSKI MCMILLEN (1946-2018)

Barbara Ann Fialkowski McMillen passed away on June 2, 2018, at the age of 71 following a long and brave battle against heart failure.

Barbara was born on July 18, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the first of eleven children born to Marion Fialkowski and Leona Lankford Fialkowski.

Following high school, she spent half a year working at the Sears store near her home on James Street and then volunteered for VISTA, the federal Volunteers in Service to America program. She was assigned to rural West Virginia where she lived with a large family and taught in a one-room schoolhouse. Returning to Philadelphia, she lived at home while attending Temple University where she majored in English in the College of Education. Four years later she completed her undergraduate degree and decided to apply to graduate schools. Ohio University in Athens offered her a teaching assistantship in English beginning in the fall of 1969. There she met another first year graduate student William (Bill) McMillen. They fell in love and were married on January 17, 1970, a scant four months after they met. At the time of her death, they had been married for more than 48 years. She received her Master’s degree in 1972 and her doctorate in 1976 from Ohio University.

Barbara and Bill adopted a second son, Mark, who was nearly four when he came to live with his new family. Mark had special education needs that Barbara recognized because she had two younger brothers who were severely mentally and physically disabled. In the sixties, Barbara’s parents had challenged the Philadelphia school system and the state of Pennsylvania that they could not discriminate against the two boys and deny them a public education. The Fialkowski law suit became the legal cornerstone of the ground-breaking federal law PL 94-142 establishing free and equal public education for all children.

Barbara always had a keen interest in politics and as a teenager in Philadelphia shook hands with President John F. Kennedy. She was a supporter of President Barack Obama. In 2016, she supported presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and was elected to be a delegate for Bernie at the Philadelphia Democratic National Convention. It was one of the great experiences of her life.

In loving memory of Barbara, please consider making a donation to her personal charity of choice, the Fialkowski Scholarship at Temple University, which grants yearly scholarships to students majoring in disability studies. Checks should be made out to Temple University Institute on Disabilities (denote: Fialkowski Scholarship). The mailing address is Institute on Disabilities, Temple University, Fialkowski Scholarship, 411 Student Center South, 1755 N. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA 19122.

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The Revolution Continues has set up an easy way to donate to the cause of keeping it ad-free. Three years without obnoxious ads (that many  sites have to cover costs) has been great, but there are overhead costs such as internet, electricity, etc. Any amount you can donate to keep this progressive site going without those awful ads is appreciated. Thank you.

You can donate via Paypal at http://paypal.me/camatthews 
Power to the people and not the corporations!

***

From Credo:

Four years after it began, Flint, Michigan's water crisis is not over. Earlier this year, tests found lead levels above the federal limit in the water at nine percent of Flint’s high schools.¹

But we now know that the crisis goes far, far beyond Flint – and the children poisoned in Flint are not alone. Over 3,000 American neighborhoods have childhood lead poisoning rates at least double those in Flint during the peak of its contamination crisis.² Over 1,000 areas tested with a rate of elevated blood levels at least four times as high as Flint’s at the height of the crisis.³ In one neighborhood in Cleveland, nearly half the children have lead poisoning.⁴
No family should fear that turning on the tap could poison their child and harm them for life – no matter what their zip code is. Reps. Keith Ellison and Ro Khanna recently introduced the Water Affordability, Transparency Equity and Reliability (WATER) Act of 2018, which would start the process of addressing this crisis. We must build grassroots support for this crucial legislation now.

Tell Congress: Pass the WATER Act. Click here to sign the petition.
 
Lead is a cumulative toxin particularly harmful to young children, who can suffer profound and permanent damage to the brain and nervous system.⁵ There is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe. In the wake of its water contamination crisis, Flint saw a measurable rise in miscarriages, fetal deaths and illnesses.⁶ 

In 2016, Congress finally directed $170 million in aid to Flint.⁷ But the Center for Disease Control's entire budget for assisting states with lead poisoning this year is just one-tenth of that.⁸ We must do better.

The WATER Act would provide $35 billion a year in federal funding to improve community drinking water and wastewater services.⁹ It would also provide grants to replace lead service lines going into homes, remove lead pipes and plumbing in schools, and upgrade home wells and septic systems.¹⁰

In thousands of neighborhoods across the country, systematic neglect and denial of basic infrastructure are limiting children's futures. No one bill will solve the problem, but we have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference – if our legislators act.

Tell Congress: Pass the WATER Act. Click the link below to sign the petition:
https://act.credoaction.com/sign/save-our-water?t=7&akid=28841%2E9999572%2EI6e2LH

Thanks for fighting back,
Brandy Doyle, Campaign Manager CREDO Action from Working Assets

Add your name:

References:

1. Joe Diazo, "Flint, Michigan, water crisis update: Government spends thousands per day for bottled water," Newsweek, March 14, 2018.
2. M.B. Pell and Joshua Schneyer, Special Report: Thousands of U.S. areas afflicted with lead poisoning beyond Flint's," Reuters, Dec. 19, 2016.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. World Health Organization, "Lead poisoning and health: Key facts," Feb. 9, 2018.
6. Ayana Byrd, "New Legislation Aims to Prevent the Next Flint Water Crisis," Colorlines, April 25, 2018.
7. M.B. Pell and Joshua Schneyer, Special Report: Thousands of U.S. areas afflicted with lead poisoning beyond Flint's," Reuters, Dec. 19, 2016.
8. Ibid.
9. Byrd, "New Legislation Aims to Prevent the Next Flint Water Crisis."
10. Ibid.

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Why stand apart, when we can rise together

Labels for GMOs are coming to a grocery store near you. When the USDA proposed the symbols below to indicate that a food product is genetically engineered, the agency specifically requested research on how people interpret the symbols. Let's give 'em what they wanted! Take our survey and tell the USDA how you interpret these symbols for genetically engineered food.

TAKE SURVEY

We'll be submitting these (anonymized) survey results with the rest of your public comments on the USDA's overall plan to label genetically engineered food.

In it together,
The SierraRise Team

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A single banana wrapped in plastic? Seriously?

Let's tackle #PointlessPlastic in your grocery store! 

Take Action

Have you noticed how much ridiculous plastic packaging is on the shelves of your local grocery store? A single potato wrapped in plastic. A cucumber. A banana. Seriously?

Not only is it absurd to wrap produce that already has a peel in plastic, this excessive single-use plastic pollutes our communities, rivers, and oceans. Plus, plastic isn’t actually keeping our food clean and many types of plastics leach harmful chemicals into our bodies.  

But it doesn't have to be like this. When supermarkets realize that people like you are rising up and demanding that they do better, we've seen them change. Ten years ago, every supermarket had a failing score on selling unsustainable seafood — but after years of corporate campaigning, we've seen massive improvement across the sector that has lead to real protections in the ocean. 

We know the same thing can happen for plastic pollution if retailers hear from enough of us — and that's where you come in.

We are preparing to launch a new campaign challenging supermarkets to cut single use plastic and we want our most committed plastic pollution fighters — folks like you — to help lay the groundwork by calling out the #PointlessPlastic you see on the shelves. 

All it takes is posting a photo of #PointlessPlastic on social media. Click here for a simple how-to.

It’s a simple action that can have major reverberations through the supermarket industry. Companies care about their brand image and what their customers think, and if enough of us push them to reduce their plastic footprint they will. 

It’s an exciting moment to take on this issue — cities are passing laws to transition away from single-use plastic packaging and big corporations are stepping up too. Bon Appétit Management Company just announced that it would ban plastic straws and stirrers in its 1,000 cafés and restaurants throughout 33 states. Ikea just committed to phasing out single-use plastics by 2020, and Iceland supermarket in the UK is phasing out single-use plastic in all its own-brand products. If they can do it, so can your local grocery store. 

The tide is turning, and when we all work together we can make massive change happen. 

So let's get rid of #PointlessPlastic once and for all!

Anna Wagner
Senior National Organizer, Greenpeace USA

P.S. Sick of all that pointless plastic at your local grocery store? Click here to help be part of the solution! 

Changing the Narrative

Changing the Narrative

We're changing the narrative this week and giving you, our dear readers, a glimpse into alternate narratives that are more vital than the false ones pushed by the mainstream media, a.k.a. the oligarchy's propaganda machine. 

Our first guest blogger gives us a look into how many Americans struggle to survive in our current economic system, a struggle our elected officials seem to be completely oblivious to, putting us all at risk. Linda wonders if we can wake  up politicians to our reality. It seems a daunting task, but it's one we can't afford not to tackle.

In our second piece, we'll gain insights from our friend north of the border, Vegematic, whose country is now on the wrong side of a Trump tariff policy. Who will suffer the worse from imposing trade tariffs on Canada? Surprise! It's probably the US, especially Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York, all states that do a lot of business across the border. But those states can afford to lose a few more jobs, right? (I'm joking, of course. No state needs more economic woes.)

New on the blog this week, a page for Ohio Green Party gubernatorial candidate Constance Gadell-Newton. With a Republican and a "Republican-lite" running to maintain the status quo in the statehouse, Constance is the only progressive running for the governor's office, and many Ohioans are interested in knowing more about her and her platform. A link to an excellent video interview Constance did on the Tim Black Show is provided as well. 

Lucas County Greens promoting Constance in the King Wamba Parade

The mainstream media will, of course, not share Constance's progressive narrative with voters (and the smear tactics have already begun, believe it or not), so please feel free to share this page and the information contained on it with others, particularly Ohio voters. They deserve to know they actually have a choice in November and can vote for the greater good, not the lesser evil.

No one said changing the corporate narrative would be easy, but we can do it if we work together. Power to the people--not the corporations! 

--C.A.M.

A Way of Bringing Elected Officials to Our Reality

by Linda Hansen

I'm disabled, and living on Social Security Disability. At the beginning of the year, my disability check went up a whopping $20 per month while elected officials in Washington DC voted to give themselves a raise of $20,000.00, which is an extra $1,666.00 per month. To think what everyone receiving Social Security could do with an extra $1,666.00 a month!

I'm one of the fortunate ones. Prior to Medicare coming out of my check every month, I bring in $1,012.00 a month. I know people on Social Security that receive $730 a month, and I wonder how in the world they make it. I have a hard enough time paying rent, paying utilities, keeping my vehicle in good condition so  I can drive to the store or laundromat, buying insurance, and getting my medications every month on what I bring in.

I was homeless, living out of my vehicle with my ESA (emotional support animal) until I found the room where I currently live that I can barely afford, but I was able to keep my emotional support dog with me. While homeless, I applied for and was approved to receive food stamps--a whopping $15.00 per month.

Sadly, even though I'm no longer homeless, I don't qualify for more SNAP benefits because utilities are included in my monthly rent.

It's a crying shame that senior citizens and disabled Americans are barely able to survive on the small “entitlement” (as defined by elected officials in Washington DC) check we receive every month while the officials give themselves such a huge raise, all on the taxpayers' dime. If our elected representatives were more concerned with actually representing us, We the People, instead of catering to lobbyists and whomever gives them huge, expensive gifts, maybe we'd get something accomplished in Congress?

I am proposing that every member of Congress, in both chambers, take a complete leave of absence and live as the bottom 99% do for a full year. They would have to put their children into public schools, leave their fancy homes, see regular physicians at regular hospitals and clinics, drink the same water and breath the same air that the rest of us do. They would have to go to homeless shelters to live, give up credit cards and not use any money in savings for the entire year.

Not only would they have to live like an average American citizen, they would have to go apply for the benefits that we use to survive on and see if they could do it with how things cost. I'm proposing a full year because, quite simply, thirty days isn't anywhere near long enough for them to get a full idea as to what we go through.

They need to fully appreciate the experience of being homeless and trying to “pull yourself up by your boot straps,”,“work harder,” and “stop buying $600 cell phones.” Heaven help them if they get seriously ill and need to see a doctor! Nope, anything tied to their life in Washington DC would be off limits. All assets frozen for one year. And, yes, I would also include the current occupant of the White House and his immediate family. No one is exempt.

What are your thoughts? Do you think this proposal would actually cause Congresspeople to get off their rumps and do something about free childcare, free college tuition, free healthcare, raising minimum wage, and possibly putting a freeze on necessary items like rent, utilities, etc. so that those of us who have been drowning can actually get caught up and start breathing again?

BIO: Linda Hansen is a freelance writer for hire. She specializes in blogs, re-writes, social media and proofreading.  She can be found playing with her Labraheeler, Rocky, when she’s not busy writing. Linda can be found online at https://twitter.com/witornado and https://lmhansen2018.wordpress.com

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Contemplating the Unthinkable
by Vegematic Deluxe

Back in the spring of 2016 in the midst of the excitement and optimism of the Bernie campaign, I witnessed something that deeply troubled me. The endless free publicity a long shot fringe candidate in the Republican primary was receiving. Compared to a virtual blackout of Bernie Sanders, whose poll numbers were astonishing, it left no doubt that any pretense of a free press in America was over. Trump was beyond horrifying. The failed casino owner and loud-mouthed game show host spewed racist and hateful invective. Surely, I thought, the American people couldn't be stupid enough to fall for this known con artist.

The course of the next few months were a roller coaster ride for those of us who were enthralled with the bright and hopeful vision that Sanders offered. Having viewed Brunch with Bernie on Thom Hartmann's show for a couple of years, I knew who he was and already considered him the most decent and honest senator in Washington. There is no need to rehash here the corporate machinations that cheated Bernie out of the nomination. It was heartbreaking then and even more heartbreaking in hindsight.

Trump's "election" brought forth the ugly demons of America's past with a vengeance that was both shocking and repulsive. The oceans of national treasure already wasted on a bloated military were increased, as were the nuclear weapons hanging over humanity like Damacles' sword for decades. The wealthiest were showered with even more tax cuts, the EPA was staffed with oligarchical climate deniers and corporate yes men. America's descent into totalitarianism had begun.

When I used to read books about the Third Reich in high school, the question would invariably come up, "Why did no one stop Hitler?" As Trump continues to ignore the rule of law and create chaos, I do not think it is hyperbole to ask that same question. Will anyone stop him when 5000 children disappear instead of 1500? When Betsy Devos has completely decimated education? When deregulation of the banks causes a massive collapse? After he starts the next war? When?

The astonishing lawbreaking and corruption continues unabated and unchallenged while the courts are being stacked like pancakes with Trump sycophants. The checks and balances required for a modern democracy to function are failing badly. The ever-present racial and class divisions in America have been exacerbated to levels not seen in a century. On the verge of climate catastrophe, carbon extraction is being accelerated at an unprecedented pace. At a time when we need more cooperation in order to confront humankind's desperate condition, we are being served a large dose of enmity for "the other."

Those of you who know me from You Tube or my previous column here know that I am Canadian. Yesterday, while reading comments under a video about the tariffs being placed on Canadian steel, I discovered something truly horrifying. Dozens of comments from Trump supporters threatening and insulting Canada. Sadly, many proud Canadians took the bait and engaged them. Soon it escalated into an insult filled screaming match ending with a Trump supporter saying America should nuke us.

Suddenly I had a gut wrenching frightening thought: Where have I seen this before? What historical parallels could I draw? The answer was almost too frightening to contemplate, yet there it was. The US and Canada share the longest undefended border in the world. Our ties run deep. Friendship, family ties, and brothers-in-arms since WWI, we have forged a common bond between us. America has a trade surplus with Canada. Why on earth would Trump want to stir division and hatred with a staunch ally?

Then it hit me. Since well before the election of 2016, one would have to be blind not to notice similarities between Trump and Hitler. His ex-wife told the press that he slept with a copy of Mein Kampf on his nightstand. Could Canada become Trump's Poland? Could Trump actually desire to invade Canada? 

At first I dismissed the thought as imaginative paranoia, but being the son of a Polish immigrant father who survived the Nazi invasion, the thought kept nagging at me. Canada has abundant natural resources. Water, minerals, oil, lumber. America has the largest military the world has ever known. It is ruled by an increasingly unstable leader desperate to cling to power. Am I right to be concerned? That really depends on you, my dear American friends. If he wanted to do this, would you be able to stop him? Would anybody?

BIO: Vegematic is an artist and You Tuber extraordinaire with a growing audience of independent thinkers. You can enjoy his excellent commentary on the Vegematic Deluxe  channel.  Like his videos and subscribe to his channel today.

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Another narrative that needs airing in this LGBTQ Pride Month: International Sex Workers' Day rally in in DC for equality and labor rights.

 http://www.dcmediagroup.us/2018/06/03/sex-workers-rally-labor-rights-international-whores-day/

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The Revolution Continues has set up an easy way to donate to the cause of keeping it ad-free. Three years without obnoxious ads (that many news sites have to cover costs) has been great, but the editor does have to pay for internet, electricity, etc. Any amount you can donate to keep this progressive site going without those awful ads is appreciated. Thank you.

You can donate via Paypal at http://paypal.me/camatthews 

Power to the people and not the corporations!

 ***

From Climate Hawks Vote:

Did you see the shocking new report on Hurricane Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico? Despite the official death toll from Maria being just 64, the actual death toll was likely more than 4,600!

Please email your member of Congress to let them know you haven’t forgotten and urge them to do more to speed recovery.

A study by academics at Harvard rigorously reviewed death rates in the months following Maria. Their conclusion: the actual death toll as a result of Maria was more than 70 times the official death toll, mostly due to disruption of health care and lack of electricity.

Meanwhile, more than half a year later — as a new hurricane season is set to begin June 1 — some parts of the island remain without power. And powerful corporate interests are trying to use the recovery to privatize essential government services.

Let there be no mistake: this disaster was not solely an act of nature. Human-made climate change fueled the hurricane’s intensity. Then, apathy and indifference by the Trump Administration and too many members of Congress led to a delayed and inadequate emergency response.

As a climate hawk, you recognize that aggressive efforts to reduce global warming pollution must be paired with swift and just responses to climate fueled disasters.

The United States has failed that test so far with Puerto Rico.

Now what?

There is no silver bullet — or single action to take at this point. We need to:

• Continue to push for more aid — and forgiveness of debt — to address the continued challenges posed to Puerto Ricans.
   
• Advocate for rebuilding the Puerto Rico power grid in a manner that keeps it in public hands and emphasizes distributed, renewable energy.
   
• Investigate the Trump Administration’s incompetence and malfeasance in the recovery process, to help ensure that the victims of the next natural disaster get better treatment.
   

As one step you can take today, please email your member of Congress and ask them to do more and do better when it comes to addressing the challenges facing Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Maria.

Email Congress

Our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico—and those fighting for them in the halls of Congress—need our continued support, our determination, our anger, and our love. They need us to not forget them.

Your fellow climate hawk,

RL Miller

References

Puerto Rico Maria Death Toll, CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/29/us/puerto-rico-hurricane-maria-death-toll/index.html

“Study Puts Puerto Rico Death Toll at 5,000 from Hurricane Maria in 2017,” NPR
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/05/29/615120123/study-puts-puerto-rico-death-toll-at-5-000-from-hurricane-maria-in-2017

“Trump is Responsible for Puerto Rico,” Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2018/05/30/trump-is-responsible-for-puerto-rico/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.6cfb1d186ba3

From Replace NAFTA:

  Together, we’ve changed the national narrative so much that NAFTA’s job outsourcing incentives and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) regime could very well be removed from NAFTA.
And the corporate lobby is freaking out.

We usually ask you to contact your member of Congress, but right now we have a quick ask for your state legislators that could make a big difference at this critical point in the NAFTA renegotiations.

Ask your state legislators to sign a simple letter supporting the elimination of ISDS in NAFTA.
The infamous, corporate-funded American Legislative Education Council (ALEC) — yes, that pay-to-play group that pushes state policies to benefit corporations and their lobbyists— organized a pro-ISDS letter from state legislators.

They managed to scrape together just 12 state legislators to sign.

In response to ALEC’s pathetic effort, in just a matter of days, already more than 45 state legislators from 18 states have signed our letter opposing ISDS — the provision in NAFTA that empowers corporations to sue our governments before panels of three corporate lawyers.

Our letter reiterates that the National Conference of State Legislatures — the national body that represents state legislatures — has long opposed including ISDS in trade agreements on a bipartisan basis.

Let’s bury ALEC’s latest pro-corporate push.
Urge your state legislators to join this letter today.

Talk soon,

Ryan Harvey
National Field Director
Replace NAFTA

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Straws Can Be Devastating For Wildlife. Let's Create a Citizen Tsunami to Limit Starbucks Straw Pollution!

Sign Now

Care2 is celebrating World Oceans Week by taking action for our blue planet every day from June 3 - 9. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is growing exponentially and is now twice as large as Texas. At least two sperm whales have been found dead with dozens of pounds of plastic trash in their stomachs. The turtle from the heart-breaking image above had a cocktail straw stuck up its nose. For World Oceans Week, we need to build a massive movement to save our blue planet from plastic. Stephanie is a Care2 community member and works at a Starbucks in New Jersey. She loves her job, but hates the huge number of straws used by the store. She knows straws are largely unrecyclable and can be devastating to wildlife. Support Stephanie's efforts and sign her petition to urge Starbucks to significantly limit its use of plastic straws. The movement to save our seas from plastic trash is growing. Over a hundred cities have already banned styrofoam take-out containers, and California has banned single-use grocery bags. But we need more leadership from the world's largest corporations. Sign Stephanie's petition to ask Starbucks to step up for our oceans. Thank you for taking action for our blue planet, Aaron V. The Care2 Petitions Team

P.S. Stephanie's petition has already gotten the attention of Starbucks leadership, so it's time to increase the pressure. Please add your name to her campaign now.