Friends,
It’s action time.
Eight weeks until this election is done, and our future charted. I have THREE REQUESTS for action:
First, please join us for the 6th annual Hamilton/Johnsen Family Picnic-now-Fundraiser. The pandemic prevents us from safely gathering for our usual picnic the Sunday after Labor Day, but we must still build Monroe County Democratic momentum for the Fall -- and have fun doing it! Here’s the plan:
Instead of hiring a band and BBQ this year, I am taking that money to offer matching donations. Starting tomorrow, Wednesday Sept. 9th, through the picnic, Sunday Sept. 13th, my campaign will match local donations to any Democrat on the ballot. Five days and $5,000. Details and the Zoom link are HERE, so please give to a D on the ballot and double your money!! Be sure to join your friends and our candidates at 4pm on Sunday the 13th for one hour of fun, speeches, trivia, entertainment and power building. You can designate additional funds for your chosen candidate on the call! As Speaker Pelosi likes to say, our diversity is our strength, and our unity is our power. Let’s get together on Sunday!
Second, please speak up in support of the Recover Forward package including our proposed modest 0.25% increase in the Local Income Tax. Our City Council will consider this proposal over two Wednesday evenings: Sept. 9th at 7:30pm, and Sept. 16th at 6:30pm. You can find links to join these meetings via Zoom here. The Council no doubt will hear from anti-tax opponents and others who urge against this modest increase that’s so important for our progressive, caring community. (And note that our progressive county presently has the LOWEST income tax rate of all seven contiguous counties).
We have big challenges to meet – addressing economic, racial and climate justice – and we must have resources to meet them over the coming several years. I hope you can add your progressive voices to support our Council’s decision, which is needed before the state legislature may take away our ability to control our own fiscal future. Thank you for helping us walk the walk of Bloomington values.
Third, please volunteer for the election that is already underway and finishes in 56 days. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris make us proud and need our help, as do Dr. Woody Myers and Linda Lawson, Andy Ruff, and tons of local candidates. You know the stakes. You know that Democracy requires action. Pick a race or a district or a state where you want to make a difference. And of course be sure you have your personal plan to vote and encourage your family and friends to do the same.
Some vital dates: Voter registration ends in less than a month, October 5th. In these uncertain times, I urge you to vote early, beginning October 6, just four weeks from today. Also consider whether COVID-19 or other circumstances may keep you or loved ones confined to home on Election Day, in which case order your absentee ballot now! Do not wake up on November 4th wishing you had done a little bit more to save our future.
That’s it, three requests during these extraordinary times. Please take care of yourselves, and each other, and Bloomington and our country. Thanks so much for all you do!
Democratically yours,
John
P.S.: For fun, check out Andy Ruff’s music video The Ballad of Tennessee Trey. Let’s get the 9th back, Andy!!