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John --
All of us at Country First have watched with horror as Hamas has unleashed terror on Israel and the Jewish people. It is heartbreaking and stomach churning; words feel wholly inadequate.
As shocking as the stories have been, the violence and hatred are recognizable. This barbarism is the very worst of humanity, and all the more painful to witness because we know the death and pain aren't over... though I pray the needless suffering will end soon.
It is moments like this that cry out for leadership. For much of the last century, America has been a stable global leader: Standing for democracy and freedom; defending peace over terror.
But how can we expect to lead the free world when it needs us most if we can't even lead ourselves? With terror raining down on one our allies, a government shutdown on the horizon, and countless challenges facing the American people, our Congress is paralyzed by extremists. This must end NOW.
We have no choice but to wake up -- to step up to this moment and demand immediate change. This doesn't have to wait until the next election, and we'll be reaching out very soon to explain exactly how a consensus Speaker can allow us to bring sanity to Congress, and allow us to be the partner our allies and the world so desperately need right now.
But in this moment, and as Shabbat approaches for our Jewish brothers and sisters, our hearts and minds are with the people of Israel of all faiths and the Jewish people worldwide.
"When pain and fatigue are my companions, let there be room in my heart for strength. When days and nights are filled with darkness, let the light of courage find its place. Help me to endure the suffering and dissolve the fear. Renew within me the calm spirit of peace."
Together,
Adam
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COMING UP @ COUNTRY FIRST
10/16: Communications Volunteer Working Group [[link removed]]
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Each week, Country First highlights a key volunteer who has demonstrated placing Country over Party. If you would like to submit someone who has made a positive impact on your experience with Country First, please email [email protected] [[email protected]] .
MEET PAT KREWSON
Where are you from and how long have you been a volunteer for Country First?
I’m a Florida native and I live in East Central Florida, near the Kennedy Space Center. I first started contributing to Country First financially on January 31, 2021 [the day the movement launched], and do so regularly.
What has been your focus at Country First?
I did a couple of the virtual sessions with the Mending Divisions group and have expressed interest in doing the training for facilitators. I’m eager to get more involved.
What was your motivation for joining Country First and how did you hear about us?
My motivation for joining is that I firmly believe in the principles the group is established on and have a lot of respect for Rep. Adam Kinzinger. I have for many years been looking for ways to be part of solutions, rather than just complaining about things. I’m 67 years old and I have been registered to vote since I was first old enough. I have never missed an opportunity to vote! When my children were young I took them with me when I voted to impress on them the importance of voting. I believe in democracy and in our system, but I’m very concerned about where we currently are as a nation. I wept when I watched January 6th unfold on TV! This is not what we do - the peaceful transfer of power is so important!
What are your hopes for America in the coming years and generations?
I believe when people get to see each other as fellow humans instead of enemies we can have concern for how different policies affect different people and want to find equitable answers. I hope we can find leaders that have the courage to put our country and its citizens' needs before their own agendas.
Do you think we can right the ship?
I do believe there’s hope. I believe more people are moderate than extreme. I believe there are solutions when people work together.
Thank you, Pat, for all of your hard work and dedication to promoting and preserving democracy!
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RANKED-CHOICE VOTING
FairVote [[link removed]] : New Ranked Choice Poll Examines the Republican Presidential Field After Second Debate
WPA Intelligence and FairVote fielded a national poll of 801 likely Republican presidential primary voters on September 28-30, following the second Republican presidential debate. The poll also included an oversample of 400 respondents from “early states” voting before Super Tuesday. Click to read the full results.
WVXU News [[link removed]] : The History of Ranked Choice Voting in Ohio and Why One Senator Doesn't Want it to Come Back
Cincinnati Edition discusses the history of ranked choice voting and legislation to ban it from Ohio.
GERRYMANDERING
Washington Post [[link removed]] : Illinois Democrats drew new maps. The changes pushed the GOP to the right.
The state’s congressional redistricting illustrates how gerrymandering hollows out the political center and strengthens the fringe, experts say. It also helps explain Kevin McCarthy’s downfall.
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
Associated Press [[link removed]] : Drop Boxes Have Become Key to Election Conspiracy Theories. Two Democrats Just Fueled Those Claims
The accusations of drop box fraud are not coming from those pushing fringe election claims or from skeptical Republicans who have long favored eliminating or severely restricting use of the boxes. They are being made by Democrats -- two candidates vying for mayor in Connecticut’s largest city, in a heavily Democratic state that began allowing drop boxes to be used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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