Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 3, 2022 at 7:12 PM

Donald Trump back in the White House?

This past weekend — at a “campaign” rally in Texas — Donald Trump suggested that if he becomes president again, he might pardon the violent insurrectionists he himself incited into storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. There’s a temptation to shrug off the outlandish things that (still)…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 2, 2022 at 7:18 PM

Donald Trump says he might pardon January 6 insurrectionists

This past weekend — at a “campaign” rally in Texas — Donald Trump suggested that if he becomes president again, he might pardon the violent insurrectionists he himself incited into storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. There’s a temptation to shrug off the outlandish things that (still)…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 31, 2022 at 9:14 PM

did you sign away your legal rights?

Whether we know it or not, most of us have signed away the right to have our day in court if our legal rights are violated at work or if we are ripped off by a giant corporation. How? It’s called “forced arbitration.” Forced arbitration clauses are a non-negotiable part of the take-it-or-le…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 28, 2022 at 6:54 PM

has it really been 12 years?

It has been 12 years since the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United ruling gave billionaires and Big Business license to spend as much money as they want distorting our elections. Public Citizen called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United the same day the ruling was …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 27, 2022 at 6:41 PM

only a constitutional amendment will fix this

It has been 12 years since the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United ruling gave billionaires and Big Business license to spend as much money as they want distorting our elections. Public Citizen called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United the same day the ruling was …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 25, 2022 at 7:25 PM

the endangered white-tufted newt

On Sunday, former Congressman Newt Gingrich went on Fox News (of course) to suggest that members of the bipartisan committee investigating the January 6 insurrection might be jailed if Republicans take back Congress. Gingrich even likened the January 6 investigators — not the violent seditionis…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 24, 2022 at 6:24 PM

shame on them

What happened in the Senate last week was a tragedy for our nation. First, Senate Republicans voted in lockstep against legislation — the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act — that is critical to safeguarding our democracy. Then, Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema — both of who…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 21, 2022 at 7:34 PM

disappointed, but not dispirited

The United States Senate failed the American people this week by shamefully voting down crucial legislation to protect our democracy. So, what comes next? First, we are going to keep fighting for the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. In an era when Congre…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 20, 2022 at 3:22 PM

a tragic moment for our nation

Last night was a tragic moment for our nation. First, Senate Republicans voted in lockstep against legislation — the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act — that is critical to safeguarding our democracy. Then, Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema — both of whom had just voted *for…

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  Robert · [email protected]

January 19, 2022 at 3:37 PM

what we do today could decide the future of our democracy

Friend, today the future of our democracy is at stake. Congress has combined the Freedom to Vote and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts into one proposal — called the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act — and it could come up for a vote in the Senate as soon as today. If this bill passe…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 18, 2022 at 8:51 PM

Senate debating *right now*

This is the choice facing America today: We can take decisive action right now to protect voting rights. Or ... We can see this country devolve into something other than a democracy — perhaps irreversibly. As we speak, the Senate is debating two proposed laws — the Freedom To Vote Act and…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 17, 2022 at 8:19 PM

"no celebration without legislation"

Here’s how we anticipate this week playing out: Tomorrow (Tuesday) the Senate will reconvene and begin debate on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Yes, debate will actually occur without Republican obstruction. Senators will make the case for — and agai…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 15, 2022 at 5:35 PM

these Republican senators *used to* believe in democracy

It was July of 2006. Not even 16 years ago. Congress reauthorized the Voting Rights Act — which was initially passed in 1965, during the height of the Civil Rights movement, to prohibit racial discrimination in voting. The Senate voted 98 to 0 to reauthorize the landmark legislation (two se…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 14, 2022 at 7:30 PM

what is wrong with Kyrsten Sinema?

Senator Kyrsten Sinema (of Arizona) gave a speech yesterday on the floor of the United States Senate. Her Democratic colleagues are trying to overcome the Senate loophole known as the filibuster, which Republicans are abusing to prevent anyone from stopping them from dismantling our democracy i…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 13, 2022 at 9:06 PM

what the heck is Senator Kyrsten Sinema doing?

Earlier today, Senator Kyrsten Sinema (of Arizona) gave a speech on the floor of the United States Senate. Her Democratic colleagues are — as we speak — trying to overcome the Senate loophole known as the filibuster, which Republicans are abusing to prevent anyone from stopping them from disman…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 12, 2022 at 7:14 PM

when will these 16 Republican senators stop being hypocrites?

It was July of 2006. Not even 16 years ago. Congress reauthorized the Voting Rights Act — which was initially passed in 1965, during the height of the Civil Rights movement, to prohibit racial discrimination in voting. The Senate voted 98 to 0 to reauthorize the landmark legislation (two se…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 10, 2022 at 10:09 PM

will Biden deliver for democracy?

Republicans all across America are trying to: Make it harder for some people — like working Americans, people of color, immigrants, seniors, city residents, and younger people — to vote. Institute flagrantly partisan gerrymandering schemes that would distort elections in their favor. Give g…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 6, 2022 at 3:22 PM

it was one year ago today

January 6 was not a singular moment. More than the culmination of Donald Trump’s failed effort to overturn the 2020 election results, it was the launch of the institutionalization of the Big Lie. Now, the Big Lie has mutated from a specific claim about 2020 into an outright assault on democra…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 5, 2022 at 7:14 PM

January 6 vigils

January 6 was not a singular moment. More than the culmination of Donald Trump’s failed effort to overturn the 2020 election results, it was the launch of the institutionalization of the Big Lie. Now, the Big Lie has mutated from a specific claim about 2020 into an outright assault on democra…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 4, 2022 at 6:54 PM

about January 6

This Thursday marks one year since the January 6 insurrection. That’s when then-president Donald Trump incited a violent mob to overthrow the United States Capitol in an attempt to remain in power by blocking the certification of the Electoral College results. Trump’s actions on, and leading …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 3, 2022 at 7:55 PM

should Donald Trump face criminal charges for January 6?

This Thursday marks one year since the January 6 insurrection. That’s when then-president Donald Trump incited a violent mob to overthrow the United States Capitol in an attempt to remain in power by blocking the certification of the Electoral College results. Trump’s actions on, and leading …

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  Robert Weissman, Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 1, 2022 at 4:12 AM

thank you, and happy New Year

Support Public Citizen Public Citizen is nothing — nothing — without supporters like you. For my team and me, it is an absolute privilege to work with you and on your behalf as we tackle some of the most important issues facing our country. With everything on the line in the year ahead, your o…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 1, 2022 at 2:16 AM

what would you do if you had a time machine?

Support Public Citizen I don’t know. I just don’t know. We need another 114 Public Citizen supporters to donate before midnight or we won’t meet our critical year-end fundraising target. But donations have really slowed down. And wouldn’t you know it, my time machine is in the shop. So I …

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  Cinderella · [email protected]

January 1, 2022 at 1:07 AM

I seem to have misplaced a shoe

Support Public Citizen After midnight, I turn into a pumpkin. Or something. Here’s what else happens after midnight: Anything you donate to Public Citizen *after* midnight tonight will *not* be matched dollar-for-dollar. They’ll still be grateful for your support at a later date, of course…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 31, 2021 at 11:36 PM

ending the pandemic, winning Build Back Better, averting climate catastrophe, and defending democracy

Support Public Citizen Here’s a look at just a few of Public Citizen’s most urgent priorities for 2022. This email is longer than the action alerts I usually send — I thought you’d want to see at least a little more detail about our plans for the coming year. I hope you can take a minute to gi…

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  Robert · [email protected]

December 31, 2021 at 10:03 PM

I got arrested

Support Public Citizen Back in November, I got arrested at the White House. Along with hundreds of other democracy activists, I was taking part in a peaceful, nonviolent rally that Public Citizen helped organize. We were there to highlight the role President Biden needs to play in ensuring pas…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 31, 2021 at 8:12 PM

how tall are you?

Support Public Citizen I just don’t know if we’re going to reach our goal. We still need another 652 people to pitch in before midnight. At the rate donations have been coming in, that might be a stretch. But if we come up short today, we will not be in peak condition heading into 2022. An…

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  Weissman · [email protected]

December 31, 2021 at 6:29 PM

not the least bit surprised

Support Public Citizen Just want to say how much I appreciate all the responses to my earlier message. I’m not the least bit surprised to see that Public Citizen supporters still value transparency and candor. The reality is that with so many other organizations and political entities sending …

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  President's Office · [email protected]

December 31, 2021 at 4:43 PM

*this* close

Support Public Citizen It seems to happen on December 31 every year. We get *this* close to our make-or-break year-end fundraising goal, but then so many people seem to figure enough other people will chip in that hardly anyone actually does. Can you help make sure that doesn’t happen this tim…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 31, 2021 at 2:28 PM

it doesn't really matter, right?

Support Public Citizen I know you’re getting a lot of emails right now from organizations whose work you support. Let me explain why today — December 31 — is the most important day of the year when it comes to fundraising for nonprofits like Public Citizen. Public Citizen spreads its fundraisi…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 31, 2021 at 12:16 AM

hopefully this is good news?

Support Public Citizen Hopefully this is good news: We need just 182 more people to donate before midnight tonight to avoid falling behind in our critical year-end fundraising. But this is also where things always seem to stall out. We get *this close* to a make-or-break goal, but then so ma…

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  Robert · [email protected]

December 30, 2021 at 9:52 PM

"I hope you die of COVID"

Support Public Citizen Sorry for that alarming subject line. It’s just one example of the hate mail we’ve received recently here at Public Citizen headquarters: “I hope you die of COVID and kill your entire f---ing family.” “You should be thrown in jail for being a terrorist.” “Too bad the…

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  PC HQ · [email protected]

December 30, 2021 at 7:31 PM

did you see that George Clooney movie?

Support Public Citizen Here’s a “peek behind the curtain” that many groups filling your inbox with donation requests won’t show you. As you may know, December is the most important month of the year for nonprofit organizations like Public Citizen that depend on individual supporters like you — a…

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  Robert · [email protected]

December 30, 2021 at 5:17 PM

does this tie go with this shirt?

Support Public Citizen Forgive my whimsical subject line, but I need to talk to you about the idea of one thing *matching* another thing. Right now, anything you contribute to Public Citizen’s critical December fund drive will be matched dollar-for-dollar. And if becoming a Monthly Donor is ri…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 30, 2021 at 2:58 PM

They say it's "impossible." Then we win anyway.

Support Public Citizen Just wanted to make sure you saw my earlier note — copied below in case you missed it — about some of Public Citizen’s top priorities heading into 2022. - Robert ****** Here’s a look at just a few of Public Citizen’s most urgent priorities for 2022. This email is lon…

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  Robert · [email protected]

December 30, 2021 at 1:24 AM

please read (bad news)

I’ll be completely transparent with you ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ …

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  President's Office, Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 29, 2021 at 8:17 PM

float like a butterfly, sting like a bee

Support Public Citizen We hear something a lot: “Public Citizen punches above its weight.” We do. Proudly. And not by accident. That means we get more done than we should be able to given our size. And it means that Public Citizen is more effective than other organizations with similar…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 29, 2021 at 4:27 PM

you can get a peek behind the curtain

Support Public Citizen You’re probably getting a lot of emails right now from organizations like Public Citizen. Let me explain what’s going on. If — after reading through this note — you still think it’s too much, at least we’ll both know where things stand. This is a “peek behind the curtain…

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  Robert · [email protected]

December 28, 2021 at 11:42 PM

can you help make sure it doesn't happen again?

Support Public Citizen I’ll explain it as plainly as I can: We need just 215 more people to donate today to avoid falling behind in our critical year-end fundraising. But this is where things always seem to stall out. We get *this close* to a make-or-break goal, but then so many people seem …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 28, 2021 at 7:22 PM

what we have to do in 2022

Support Public Citizen Here’s a look at just a few of Public Citizen’s most urgent priorities for 2022. This email is longer than the action alerts I usually send — I thought you’d want to see at least a little more detail about our plans for the coming year. I hope you can take a minute to gi…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 28, 2021 at 3:12 PM

the hate mail is getting more violent

Support Public Citizen We get a lot of hate mail at Public Citizen. Here’s just a sampling: I hope you die of COVID and kill your entire f---ing family. You should be thrown in jail for being a terrorist. Too bad they didn’t abort all you traitor trash Nazi liberals. Die where you are stand…

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  Robert · [email protected]

December 23, 2021 at 7:25 PM

the shortest email I've ever sent you?

Support Public Citizen Since this is the time of year when many people donate to organizations that inspire a sense of working collectively to take on the biggest challenges, I’m going to ask: Can you make a contribution to this shared project called Public Citizen today? Anything you contribu…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 22, 2021 at 4:14 PM

what have we done?

Support Public Citizen I want to highlight just some of what Public Citizen — that’s you and me and hundreds of thousands of our fellow Americans — accomplished this year. Then I’ll go through a few of our most urgent priorities for 2022. This email could have been *really* long, but I know yo…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 21, 2021 at 6:22 PM

this is unacceptable

Please add your name to our petition to Senator Manchin if you haven't already. My note from yesterday is copied below in case you missed it. - Robert ****** Yesterday, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia went on Fox News and said he would not support President Biden’s transfo…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 20, 2021 at 7:17 PM

Joe Manchin threatens entire Democratic agenda

Yesterday, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia went on Fox News and said he would not support President Biden’s transformative Build Back Better proposal. “This is a no on this legislation,” Manchin said. Well, one thing we know at Public Citizen is how NOT to accept “no” for an a…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 18, 2021 at 6:39 PM

here's the situation

Support Public Citizen This could be my final email to you for a while. Here’s the situation: We’ve reached the time of year when your inbox will soon be overflowing with emails asking you to support organizations you care about. Nonprofits like Public Citizen simply can’t afford *not* to be…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 17, 2021 at 10:32 PM

letting you in on a secret

Support Public Citizen This could be my final email to you for a while. Here’s the situation: We’ve reached the time of year when your inbox will soon be overflowing with emails asking you to support organizations you care about. Nonprofits like Public Citizen simply can’t afford *not* to be…

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  Robert Weissman, Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 17, 2021 at 3:36 PM

my final email to you

Support Public Citizen This could be my final email to you for a while. Here’s the situation: We’ve reached the time of year when your inbox will soon be overflowing with emails asking you to support organizations you care about. Nonprofits like Public Citizen simply can’t afford *not* to be…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 16, 2021 at 6:49 PM

Trump's chief of staff must be punished

On Tuesday night, the House of Representatives found Mark Meadows — Donald Trump’s former Chief of Staff — in contempt of Congress for failing to cooperate with its investigation of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. When someone is found in contempt of Congress, the Department of …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 15, 2021 at 6:22 PM

tax every damn billionaire

Time magazine has chosen electric car magnate and space pirate Elon Musk as its “Person of the Year” for 2021. Now, being named “Person of the Year” does not necessarily mean someone is a *good* person. For example, Time has given the “award” to Adolph Hitler (1938), Joseph Stalin (1939 and 1…

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