September 27, 2024

GSC September newsletter 2024


GSC Headerfrom the Editor

The next President of the United States urged us - Do Something! So, we’re going to talk about Project 2025 in our newsletters now through the election. There are many reasons to vote Harris-Walz, but none top this one: if Trump wins, the United States will become an Oligarchy. We will lose our Democracy.

We hope you will share this information in all of your social circles - Democrat, Independent, Libertarian and Republican alike with Americans and non-Americans, and ask that all of them share this with their circles too. Forward the email, send them the link - Do Something, right?

Reminder: our overseas tax forms are due by 15 October. See more in our TAXATION section below.

Project 2025

Senior Caucus members should know that Democrats Abroad members aged 65+ represent approximately 25% of membership, not including the many members who did not indicate their age. We are a large constituency.

Another term for Trump would be devastating for American Seniors. Overall, anything that happens to undermine local economies will harm Seniors. All the expected assaults on human rights and protections would be to the detriment of the already most vulnerable segment - the Senior population.

Trump’s Project 2025 would eliminate traditional Medicare, stop the federal government from negotiating drug prices, and would no longer penalize Big Pharma for raising drug prices more than the rate of inflation. Even worse.. Click here to read more


MEDICARE | SOCIAL SECURITY | WEP

Social Security Works Asks - "Have you heard about Project 2025?"

The Levers new chart-topping investigative podcast series Master Plan answers the question were all asking: How did everything become so corrupt?

In this series, we expose how Project 2025 emerged as part of a coordinated scheme to subvert the American political system so that it works only for the rich and powerful. We’ve spent two years reporting this story — you wont want to miss what we’ve found.

Click here for more.

WEP Repeal - an update

As of the writing of this newsletter we’ve received the tremendous news that the Discharge Petition successfully received 218 signatures, and is now closed.

This is a HUGE achievement! After years of trying to get enough co-sponsors we now have 329 in the House thanks to the hard work everyone has put in.

Next steps

The bill will be reviewed during the lame-duck session, a period often used for passing significant legislation. The exact timing for the vote is uncertain, possibly occurring next week during a proforma session or after the recess. The decision rests with legislators, particularly due to sensitive issues surrounding federal funding, and external parties have no involvement.

So now what do we do?

We wait, quietly. We don’t issue partisan comments about "the other side". We don’t want to rock the boat.

This is a good time, if you have not already done so, to thank your Representative who has co-sponsored this bill. Stay hopeful, patiently, for our next update.

Breaking News!

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will be forced to streamline their processes for Americans whose Social Security numbers (SSNs) have been compromised thanks to bipartisan legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 3784, the Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act, was introduced by Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Drew Ferguson (R-GA) and Ranking Member John Larson (D-CT) and was passed unanimously by the Ways and Means Committee.

At a hearing on SSAs role in combatting identity fraud, the Committee heard directly from a mother about her daughters Social Security number being compromised, and the tremendous challenge of navigating a bureaucratic maze to protect her daughters financial future. She testified to how having a single point of contact at the Social Security Administration would have made a real difference. Read the announcement.

Five Senators who must win

These five Senators - Jacky Rosen (NV), Jon Tester, MT, Sherrod Brown (OH), Bob Casey (PA) and Tammy Baldwin (WI) are all being targeted for defeat - let’s help them win their races this November!

STORIES of Rural America

 

Rural communities care deeply about issues that align with Democratic values, though this often goes unnoticed in the media. This country was built on hard work, dedication to one's craft, and a commitment to American values—principles that are still very much alive in rural America today.

What You Need to Know About the Farm Bill

The Farm Bill is Americas largest investment in the voluntary conservation, restoration and management of Americas private lands. Read the article  published recently by the Nature Conservancy.

 

Scoop the Vote ImageScoop the Vote!

Ben & Jerry’s has partnered with MoveOn to take a new flavor of ice cream on a road trip. They released a limited-edition ice cream flavor called Kamala’s Coconut Jubilee under the Ben’s Best label. The new ice cream is the product of a partnership between Ben & Jerry’s co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Jeni’s, Malai and MoveOn to increase voter turnout and support the Democratic candidate for president.

 

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VOTING

What are the stakes?

We all know by now that the stakes in the November election could not be higher. Democracy vs Autocracy/Oligarchy is on the ballot.

Need help registering to vote or requesting your 2024 overseas ballot? Not sure if you are registered, or can register to vote in the U.S.?

Vote from Abroad provides every U.S. citizen abroad with the information and tools needed to VOTE,assisting voters from all 50 states, plus District of Columbia and U.S. territories. Our online tool makes it simple to fill out and send in a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). We highly recommend that each voter file this form annually.

Have questions about voting? We provide one-on-one voter assistance - on voter status, never voted, or anything about voting as an American overseas. You can ask online, check our FAQs (Frequently asked questions) page, or come to a Voter Assistance Session. Voting made easy!

Do you know how to use a FWAB - Backup Ballot?

It’s especially valuable for voters who 1) have to return their ballot by MAIL, and/or 2) live in countries with slow mail service. Learn how here- and train so you can help others.

Fill out the Backup Ballot here.

TAXATION

Tax Filing for Americans Abroad

15 October is our extended and final tax filing deadline, so be sure to have yours postmarked by then. If youve just moved overseas and want to learn about tax filing, Americans Overseas created a FAQ section at the bottom of this page that will walk you through the basic information.

TECH CORNER

Junk Mail!

Our email Inboxes are filled with so much junk these days which threaten us, compelling us to "Click Here!" or your account will be deleted. 

Some candidates and organizations use language like Donate $5 today and it will be triple-matched,” “Warning: Payment incomplete,” or We need 5,238 donors from YOUR zip code.” 

Do not click on any of these links.

Americans are less likely to select AI-enabled chatbots as a source of election information than any other source.

Just 2% of Americans said they would look to AI-enabled chatbots as a source of election information, ranking below any other information source (including Dont know/no opinion”).

This makes clear that Americans are yet to see generative AI tools as legitimate information sources, alleviating some concerns that unreliable generative AI interfaces, prone to hallucinations, will significantly impact votersaccess to trustworthy election information this year.

While adults may not seek out information on AI-enabled chatbots, they may not always know when theyre interfacing with one, particularly as campaigns explore ways to integrate generative AI into operations for the first time. Additionally, AI-powered misinformation and targeted digital persuasion campaigns remain a big concern. 

TAKE ACTION - What can We do?

We have started a new Call to Action page on our website where all of our Calls to Action can be found - Repeal WEP - Publish the ERA - Impeach Thomas and Alito and more. Please set aside just 5 to 10 minutes in your schedule each morning. You will feel better after!

Coffee Chat

Join us on Friday, 27 September for more conversations. This month we’ll discuss The Campaign - what we like, what can be done better, and more!

RSVP to get the Zoom link, and add it to your calendar. We’ll see you there!

DA Events - Quick Links

CAUCUS VOLUNTEERS

We need you!! Volunteers are the backbone of our organization.  Email us for details on our volunteer opportunities.

You can find the list of positions our caucus is looking to fill on our Volunteer page.

  • We are looking for members of a new "Social Security Committee". Please email our Chair to let her know that you are interested.
  • We are also looking to fill our Secretary

 

Click here to read the full newsletter.

Read previous Newsletters

"If we want democracy to flourish, we will have to fight for it. We'll have to nurture it. And we will have to demonstrate its value, again and again.

- President Barack Obama


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