We have one more chance—in Lincoln’s words, a “last best hope”—to bring our democracy back from the dead. It will be like a complex medical rescue that requires just the right interventions, in just the right sequence, at just the right speed: amputation, transfusion, multiple-organ transplant, stabilization, rehabilitation. Each step will be very hard, and we can’t afford to get any wrong or wait another hour. … Self-government still gives us the chance. Everything is in our hands. ~George Packer
The last few years it seems like nearly every day could be seen as a “defining moment.” Every day is awash with a new crisis, a new tragedy, and a new outrage. It’s hard to even keep track of, let alone absorb, the historic nature of literally every day.
Meanwhile, it seems that our criteria for what’s a “crisis” has gotten more stringent as the crises pile up. It’s hard to track them, and impossible to count them all.
And that is perhaps the most historic aspect of this moment – that every moment of it is historic.
There have been other times like this, I imagine (we have had a Civil War, after all) but none that we have all lived through, and none that we could all see and experience so intimately. Thanks to our ability to capture literally everything and everyone around us in bits and bites, and our ability to become self-proclaimed media moguls through our Twitter feeds (no, I’m not calling it X) and Facebook walls, we can see the development of movements and the destruction of democracy in excruciating detail.
This gives us the horror of seeing what’s being torn to shreds, alongside the benefit of seeing what needs to be repaired.
That’s valuable, even while grotesque.
That’s why when I read America’s Plastic Hour is Upon Us I stopped at the description of this period as “plastic.”
There are in history what you could call ‘plastic hours,’” the philosopher Gershom Scholem once said. “Namely, crucial moments when it is possible to act. If you move then, something happens.” In such moments, an ossified social order suddenly turns pliable, prolonged stasis gives way to motion, and people dare to hope. Plastic hours are rare. They require the right alignment of public opinion, political power, and events—usually a crisis. They depend on social mobilization and leadership. They can come and go unnoticed or wasted. Nothing happens unless you move.
“Plastic” is indeed a good descriptor for Now. Plastic as a substance is both useful and abhorrent. It’s trash, but also treasure – when used properly. It’s an incredibly useful resource – that we often simply cast aside.
And when it’s exposed to heat, it melts. And it’s in that pliable state that you can bend it into fantastic shapes.
But on its own? On it’s own, plastic is just cold, hard, stiff matter. There is potential, but that potential requires some work to be realized.
Nothing happens unless you move.
And so here we are, friends.
We are living in a plastic moment, where the potential is oh-so-tantalizingly clear. Where we can easily see the chasms, the breaks, the fissures in our society – and we can also see how with leadership, with work, with dedication (our own “heat and pressure”) we could mold a new and better world.
There is momentum for change. There are leaders who have answered the call. There’s a restlessness, like horses before a storm. (Those of you who know how much I love Steinbeck will appreciate that reference.)
All of the raw materials are there, right at our fingertips.
Now the question is simple, even if difficult.
What will we do with this plastic hour?
More importantly, what will you do?
Let’s not let this unique, powerful, valuable moment slip away.
Let’s move.
Let’s get to work.
Actions for the Week of February 13, 2024
Last-Minute Suozzi Help! Phonebank Today at Noon.
It’s election day and the end of voting in NY-3 – the race that will decide who takes the seat that disgraced former GOP congressman George Santos left when he was ousted. The outcome is significant here. By picking up this seat, we will chip further away at Republicans’ majority and close the gap that much more. (Republicans control 217 seats; Dems have 212. There are four vacancies.)
If you’ve not yet pitched in on this race, there’s still time to help – but just barely! Midwest Swing Left + Indivisible groups will be hosting a final phonebank call today at noon. Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/599058/
tonight! Join States’ Project for their State Preview Series!
The States Project is an excellent organization that empowers giving circles whose support is used to fund races in states with flippable state legislatures. They’ve come out with their 2024 slate of states, and are having a series of presentations to do a “deep dive into the stakes, opportunity, and goals” in their target states. Here’s the schedule:
Tuesday, 2/13/24 at 8pm ET – State Preview #1: MI / MN
Tuesday, 2/27/24 at 8pm ET – State Preview #2: NV / KS / AZ
Tuesday, 3/12/24 at 8pm ET – State Preview #3: NH / PA
Tonight is their first. Register here: https://airtable.com/app2Atl2ORpwutudY/shrzwjYNDFvXUShIN
Funding for Ukraine is Urgent: Call Congress
First, this Politico piece is a good one to get up to speed on what’s happening with the Ukraine funding situation, which has been on the rocks since Republicans got exactly what they wanted in exchange for Ukraine funding and then threw it away to serve Dear Leader. (Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/12/mike-turner-ukraine-funding-00140924)
In summary, Speaker Johnson is facing a choice: refuse to bring a Senate funding measure to the floor and thereby appease Trump and the MAGA wing, or bring a package to the floor and potentially get ousted by his own party.
To me, this makes it critical that we be loud and proud on demanding funding for Ukraine. It is not only the right policy position, but it’s also going to make it easier for Republican lawmakers to do the right thing (and harder for them to say the American people don’t care). This is a simple one-minute call to your Congresscritter – especially if you’re in a GOP-held district.
Script: Hi, my name is [name] and I’m a constituent at [zip]. I am very concerned that our allies in Ukraine – who are fighting for democracy – are running out of ammunition and supplies. We need to help them. I’m asking the Congress(wo)man to help Ukraine, and support standalone funding package. Is s/he?
FEBRUARY 15 Is THIS QUARTER’S NATIONAL INDIVISIBLE CALL
On Feb 15, 2024 07:00 PM (Central) Indivisible will be having a National Campaign Call – “a quarterly space for activists, group leaders, and new members alike. Join Indivisibles across the country as we celebrate successes; discuss our national strategy, and take time to create connections while building community with each other.”
Let’s get our game plan going! Register here: https://indivisible.zoom.us/webinar/register/9317044933058/WN_YLucpPN2Riazk5TvnmADBA?emci=84e7317a-06c2-ee11-b660-002248223197&emdi=39921344-1dc2-ee11-b660-002248223197&ceid=10758#/registration
WHEW! GO TEAM!
P.S.: Why don’t you make someone’s day and send this pep talk to a friend or two? I bet they need it.
If you’d like to sign up to get this pep talk and action list in your in-box each week, you can do that here. Welcome, friend!
P.P.S.: If you want to help support this work you can do so via Patreon at
https://www.patreon.com/smalldeedsdone or via paypal at https://www.paypal.me/smalldeeds
My deepest gratitude in advance.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for writing. I read and respond to every email! We’re in this together. Don’t you forget it.
Small Deeds Done 