We need to talk about threats to democracy — with everyone

Our democracy is in danger; our country is at a crossroads. Those who support democracy, whether Independent, Republican, or Democrat, must speak out powerfully. 

We must educate ourselves and others, including our family and friends. We must contest the errors and misrepresentations in the media. Above all, we must identify people who support our democracy as we do and enlist them to stand up and communicate the enormity of the situation.

According to an August 2023 American Values Survey by the Public Religion Research Institute, 84% of Democrats, 77% of Republicans, and 73% of Independents feel our democracy is at stake in the upcoming election. This is a major issue that national media have largely ignored. 

The study also found that 57% of Americans (91% of Democrats) agree that the re-election of Donald Trump to the White House poses a threat to American democracy and way of life. That’s not a surprise. However, it was a surprise to me that 53% of Americans (86% of Republicans) agree that the re-election of Joe Biden poses a threat to American democracy and way of life.

I find that stunning, given that MAGA-affiliated actors have launched what appears to be a direct assault on democracy while the current President has been working to save it. The perception and reality do not align, in my opinion. 

It strikes me that anti-democratic forces do much better to control the narrative than those who support democracy. They are in the news daily, with strong support from influential national media outlets. President Biden sometimes seems like a lone voice in the wilderness who we hear from only occasionally. The rest of the national media rarely discusses attacks on democracy or the positive things democracy has done.

We need to change this.

We must be clear-eyed and honest about the forces that threaten our democracy but inclusive in finding those who share our concerns. Grounding this work in our Unitarian Universalist faith is essential. Our faith asks us to be radically inclusive in our approach to relationships, including being radically inclusive in our efforts to save our democracy. We must find ways to help our fellow country members cope with the cultural changes they fear. We must help each other act in defense of our democracy.

As Unitarian Universalists, we all need to get comfortable talking to each other, friends and family, others we meet, and news outlets. Perhaps we must become brave for our democracy in this way—our Executive Director calls this “civic bravery.”

We need to tell a story that gives us hope for the future and shows the contrast between what we want and what the detractors of our democracy are pursuing. We need a narrative to get people’s attention and invite more folks to join us in our concern. 

In 2024, we need to create the biggest turnout of pro-democracy voters. The alternative is bleak indeed.

Fred Van Deusen
Democracy Action Team Convener
democracy@uusj.org

Recognizing and Resisting Fascism as People of Faith 
with Rev. Cecilia Kingman

A UUSJ fundraising event
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
8:00 p.m. ET • 7:00 p.m. CT • 6:00 p.m. MT • 5:00 p.m. PT
Online, via Zoom: Tickets/Registration

Many Unitarian Universalists have been very concerned with the natural and present danger to our democracy and the rise of anti-democracy movements. 

UUSJ proudly presents one of our denomination's most celebrated thinkers on this topic, the Rev. Cecilia Kingman. She is the author of the acclaimed 2023 Berry Street Address, titled “My Little Pony Was Right: Reflections on Fascisms Without and Within.”

Rev. Kingman has been studying authoritarian systems for most of her life and is currently doing doctoral work at the Pacific School of Religion on the responses of faith communities to fascist and totalitarian regimes. After the collapse of the communist dictatorship in Romania, she spent two decades working with the Unitarians of Transylvania to strengthen civil society and support sustainable agricultural and community development.

Join UUSJ for our major end-of-the-year fundraising event.

Learn About The PUPP Act
The intersecting issues of homelessness and animal welfare

Tuesday, December 19, 2023
8:00 p.m. ET • 7:00 p.m. CT • 6:00 p.m. MT • 5:00 p.m. PT
Online, via Zoom: RSVP to join

Many Unitarian Universalists care about animal welfare and animal use in testing for science and industry, but did you know people experiencing homelessness are sometimes accompanied by a companion animal? Did you know these human-animal partnerships face a standard “no pets allowed” rule in emergency shelters and housing programs?

Join the Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry, UUSJ, and Reverend Daniel Lawlor from Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Hudson Valley for a presentation and Q&A with guest speakers from the national nonprofit My Dog Is My Home. They will explain the intersecting issues of homelessness and animal welfare. Hear about how people who have already survived the trauma of losing their homes must also decide between accessing services and giving up their beloved companion animal or forgoing services to stay with their furry family members. 

The bipartisan Providing for Unhoused People with Pets (PUPP) Act was reintroduced to support adopting pet-friendly policies in homeless services in June 2023. Learn about the issues that inspired the PUPP Act and what you can do to help.

Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

You can still take action to honor Native American Heritage Day: the following two action alerts address legislative issues that Indigenous activists and advocate allies have told us matter to them.

The Indigenous Peoples' Day Act has been reintroduced for the 118th Session of Congress. It honors the past, present, and future of Native peoples throughout the U.S. by changing the narrative around the arrival of Columbus to reflect a more accurate history. It recognizes the legacy and impact of colonialism on Native communities. Write Your Legislators HERE.

See how one UU activist in Kentucky, Angela Arnett-Garner, is helping create Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Louisville and around the state: WHAS11-ABC News.

The Environmental Justice For All Act has been reintroduced for the 118th Session of Congress. It is a vital first step toward giving communities impacted by pollution the tools needed to hold polluting industries accountable. These are frequently Indigenous communities. Tell Your Legislators to Pass EJ4A 

We are also sharing an action from Earth Justice asking President Biden to protect Indigenous lands by fully recognizing the rights of tribal nations and Indigenous peoples under tribal, U.S., and international law.

Afghan Adjustment Act Once Again in Danger

Please write your legislator supporting the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA).

Recent efforts to get the AAA into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) appear to be faltering. Though some August 2021 evacuees have applied for asylum, they face years of backlog. Including text negotiated by advocates in the NDAA is the best hope for the tens of thousands of Afghan allies that still have no guarantee of permanent residency.

Our Afghan allies should not be treated as a tool for political leverage or more partisan politicking. And support for our allies should not be used to anchor any harmful, anti-asylum negotiations. Please help us continue to advocate for a focused and serious consideration of Afghan protected status (i.e., adjustment), free from the constraints of partisan politics, as Veterans requested.

Congress Must Support Office of Refugee Resettlement
UUSJ joined 80 other immigration and refugee advocacy organizations to tell Congressional Appropriators they must support the Office of Refugee Resettlement and other Key Refugee Accounts in the end-of-year spending negotiations. See the letter by Church World Service.

Small Donor Finance Briefing
Small Donor Public Financing Offers a Powerful Antidote to the Outsized Influence of Billionaires and Special Interests

Declaration for American Democracy
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
2:00 p.m. ET • 1:00 p.m. CT • 12:00 p.m. MT • 11:00 a.m. PT
Online, via Zoom: RSVP to attend

Americans have long felt concerned that major donors and special interests have too much say over the decisions and priorities of their legislators and that constituents like them have too little representation. Small-donor public financing programs can give everyday people a more significant say in government and help counteract big money.

Join DFAD for a briefing to highlight the impact of big money in politics and how small donor finance programs can serve as a solution.  Experts from the Brennan Center and Campaign Legal Center will brief attendees on the various programs and how they've impacted communities that have implemented them. DFAD will also be joined by a panel of advocates who have helped pass and implement programs in their states and communities.

Is Alaska the Secret to Saving American Democracy?

How Electoral System Reform Can Reduce Polarization, Increase Voters’ Choices, and Incentivize Bipartisan Policymaking

Center for American Progress
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
2:00 p.m. ET • 1:00 p.m. CT • 12:00 p.m. MT • 11:00 a.m. PT
Online and In-person

American democracy is in crisis. The country has become deeply divided along partisan lines, causing Americans to turn against each other. Compromise has become scarce, while threats of political violence have risen. But there’s hope in an unlikely place: Alaska.

Join CAP for a conversation about the impact of Alaska’s electoral reform, featuring three Alaska state legislators from across the political spectrum: state Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel (R), state House Minority Leader Calvin Schrage (not affiliated), and state Rep. Genevieve Mina (D).

Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual For Every American with Author David Pepper

Wednesday, January 10
8:00 p.m. ET • 7:00 p.m. CT • 6:00 p.m. MT • 5:00 p.m. PT
Online, via Zoom: RSVP to join

Author David Pepper will speak to Unitarian Universalists about how we can all play a more active and effective role in lifting democracy. 

Saving Democracy details how we all can and must play a role in saving democracy at this fraught time. It explains how all levels of the pro-democracy movement, from national political leaders to grassroots activists to everyday Americans, must switch from a posture of defense to offense, and it shows how to stay on offense and win on offense.

UU advocates and activists engaged in pro-democracy legislative and voter mobilization efforts have found Pepper's book inspiring and challenging, and we hope you will join us to hear directly from author David Pepper. This talk is sponsored by Reclaim Our Democracy and the Democracy Action Team at UUSJ.

Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point
In this book, Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt offer a coherent framework for understanding these volatile times. And now we are at a crossroads: America will either become a multiracial democracy or cease to be a democracy. They spoke at First Parish in Concord, Massachusetts, on November 5. Review their excellent talk.

Fascism at Our Doorstep and What to Expect Next
Dr. Ruth Ben-Ghiat is an American historian and cultural critic. She is a professor of history and Italian studies at New York University and the author of Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present. She writes for CNN, The Economist, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. She spoke at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, Florida, on November 11, and the sponsors have provided a link to her excellent talk.

Hot Topic 
The Supplemental Negotiation Is an Immigration Battlefield

Modernization of our outdated immigration system vs. border security; funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan vs. wide-ranging border policy changes—immigration justice and a welcoming asylum system are once again a casualty of partisan politics.

• Republicans in Congress are threatening to block aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan unless the supplemental request includes changes in border security policies. Any President’s supplemental request is intended to meet emergencies that merit serious consideration, above and beyond the initial proposed budget. Most often, these issues arise from unforeseen and unanticipated events. See a relevant White House letter and fact sheet for more context.
• President Biden’s supplemental request does include additional money for barriers and staffing. Still, some Republicans want to add controversial policy changes, such as “Remain in Mexico,” increased use of detention, more asylum bans, and restrictions on parole.
• In response to such threats, Senator Padilla (D-CA), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, is leading ten colleagues in a joint statement regarding proposed changes to the asylum system emerging in the supplemental aid package negotiations, Press Release, Sen. Padilla.

UUSJ strongly opposes linking supplemental funding for Ukraine with harmful changes to asylum and other immigration policies. In particular, we want to avoid seeing the Afghan Adjustment Act swept into the supplemental battles.

• In November, we contacted the offices of members of the House to oppose adding these policy changes to the continuing resolution. We joined with other advocacy organizations and the offices of key Senators to oppose including immigration policy changes in the supplemental appropriation. 
• Similar and related work is expected to continue in December and January 2024 with the two new, looming funding dates created by Speaker Johnson’s continuing resolution.

The Let Asylum Seekers Work Campaign

Write to your members of Congress in support of the bi-partisan H.R. 1325, the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act of 2023.

The campaign got off to a strong start. UUSJ members are taking the action above, demonstrating robust engagement compared to larger organizations. Let’s continue to show our legislators our exceptional commitment as UUs – we could use even more clicks to keep the pressure on Congress. 

One win so far: Warren, 7 Senators Ask Department of Homeland Security to Improve Migrants’ Access to Work Authorization Documents (Press Release).

Summary
Improving Access to Work Permits for Immigrants

The Immigration Action Team (IAT) participated in the two-day Here to Work Summit organized by the American Business Immigration Coalition and several immigrant-led organizations. The summit's purpose was to call on the Biden Administration to use its existing authority to expand work permits through parole and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to all immigrants, including the undocumented. The 700 attendees completed advocacy training on the first day, made Congressional visits, and marched to the White House for a rally. The attendees split up into more than 70 teams and visited the offices of all the Democratic members of Congress!

Learn more about the Earth Bill 

UUSJ volunteers and other UUs have been involved, in various ways, from early on with the “Earth Act to Stop Climate Pollution by 2030” (H.R. 598)--popularly known as the “Earth Bill.” 

The UU Ministry for Earth and UUs for a Just Economic Community were early endorsers of the Earth Bill, and UUSJ endorsed the bill during the Summer of 2023. Learn more:

• The Hill: Saving Generation Delta: How solutions to the global climate crisis are still within reach, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Sponsor
• UUJEC webinar video: The Earth Bill: Saving generation Delta: How solutions to the global climate crisis are still within reach | The Hill 2030 Moonshot for Earth
• Press Release: Representative Adriano Espaillat Introduces The Earth Bill

COP 28 in Dubai—Can Frontline Community Members and Indigenous People Get to the Table?

UUs and our partners are mobilizing for the U.N. Climate Change Conference – COP 28. The event began on November 30th, 2023, and convenes delegates worldwide in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee leads for UUs: This year, UUSC will be the primary organizer of the UU delegation. They will focus on four key demands:

• Fund Loss and Damage Initiatives
• Assess Progress Towards Climate Success
• Increase Funding for Adaptation and Mitigation Activities
• Raise Equity and Justice as Pivotal for Adaptation Frameworks

In support of these demands and the UU presence at COP 28, they offer: 

• A climate justice petition urging Presidential Climate Envoy John Kerry: Lead with Equity for the Loss and Damage Fund
• A landing page for COP 28
• A blog on UUSC partners demands

COP Global Day of Action on December 9th: The COP28 Coalition – an international people-powered effort to hold world leaders accountable during COP28 – calls for a global day of action on December 9th. You can follow along, participate using #Fight4ClimateJustice and #SystemChange, and learn about the coalition’s common demands.

At the opening of COP28, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) released a new policy analysis calling for governments, businesses, and financial institutions to commit to Real Zero instead of Net Zero frameworks to advance systemic change, a Just Transition, and a fossil fuel phaseout. Find the policy analysis here.

Winter Solstice Celebration: Light for All

UU Ministry for Earth
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
7:00 p.m. ET • 6:00 p.m. CT • 5:00 p.m. MT • 4:00 p.m. PT
Online, via Zoom: RSVP to Join

The Winter Solstice occurs when Earth's axis tilts away from the sun, making it the shortest day and longest night of the year for those living in the Northern Hemisphere. Join UUMFE and other UU partners to honor this time of year and our connection to the natural world and to remember that light comes after darkness.

Moore v. United States, an Unfolding Mess 

On Dec. 5, 2023, the Supreme Court will hear the case.

Not to be confused with last year's Moore v. Harper, this year's Moore v. U.S. case before the Supreme Court is a doozy. It presents a matter at the confluence of three public policy considerations: (a) concern for our democracy regarding Supreme Court rulings, (b) concern for checks and balances regarding the power of the purse residing with Congress, and (c) the stability of our economy regarding potential significant changes in the tax code.

• This lawsuit could disrupt the U.S. tax system. Key facts are in dispute, Washington Post
• The $15,000 Tax Case that Could Cost Women Billions, Ms. Magazine 
• The Supreme Court case seeking to shut down wealth taxes before they even exist, Vox
• See this new talking points memo about the case from Groundwork Action

Tax articles that are catching attention among fair tax advocates:

• The Hill: Momentum builds for a special commission to tackle $34T in US debt, Aris Folley. Momentum is building in D.C. to tackle the nation’s debt, but the idea of a special commission draws mixed reviews as Washington feuds over funding for next year.
• The Hill: To keep the economy moving, Congress must renew extenders, Peter Roff. The latest economic data released suggests the economy might turn the corner. Some economists think a soft landing without a recession may still be possible. 
• Roll Call: IRS delays new online sellers’ tax reporting threshold, Laura Weiss. The IRS is postponing a lower threshold for reporting online sales and gig work by another year until 2024, a reprieve that could give lawmakers time to enact a more permanent fix.
• Wall Street Journal: A New Approach to Taxes That Pays Its Own Way, Brian Deese and David Kamin. Tax cuts passed in 2017 are set to expire in 2025 and could cost the federal government about 1% of GDP. Our 1990s taxes could have financed the government we have today.
• Tax Policy Center: Children Deserve More than Shutdown Threats and Continuing Resolutions, Elaine Maag, and C. Eugene Steuerle. The House and Senate kept the federal government funded through early next year, avoiding a shutdown and all those costs. But it also leans on a set of “continuing resolutions,” which tells government agencies to do what they have been doing.
• CNBC: The number of people with at least $100 million has doubled since 2003, Robert Frank. According to a recent report, individuals worth $100 million or more doubled over the past 20 years as asset prices soared. There are now 28,420 so-called centi-millionaires worldwide, up 12% over last year.