Daily Resource Highlight - 10/24/2022

Posted by on October 24, 2022 at 2:41 PM

Below are the highlights and featured resources of this past week’s Daily* Resource.

October 18, 2022 - A Peek Beyond November; Podcasts, Debt, Beer, and Federalism

I, like most people, have a bit of a rebellious streak. After all, we’re reformers! And so with my inbox filled with five-alarm fundraising requests and constant news coverage of the upcoming elections….I’d like to turn our attention to some things that will matter today and after November 8th.

For instance, the Democracy Group is looking for Gen Z’ers who want to build a successful political podcast. The Fellowship comes with a $1,000 grant and the support of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State. If you know somebody who is interested, tell them about this ASAP! Applications are due October 21st.

As for debt….well, there’s a lot of it. For this reason, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget is asking Congress to not add to the $1.1 trillion in debt added since January. And Truth in Accounting explains why the government’s debt is not like a mortgage. So with that in mind, was Biden acting responsibly by canceling student debt? As Braver Angels shows, it depends on who you ask.

Next, let’s talk briefly about alcohol. R Street Institute’s newest podcast – The Right to Drink – talks about the government’s assault on our ability to enjoy spirits. They already have 5 episodes!

Finally, and as you well know, state governance has been a hot topic recently with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. With the decision, the Supreme Court put abortion policy in the states’ hands, and the latest guest on the McCourtney Institute’s Podcast says that’s exactly where it should be. 

October 20, 2022 - An Impartial Election Pledge; Steph Curry Inspires; and About Our Troops

Have you taken the Safe and Fair Elections Pledge yet? This is the most impartial pledge I have seen in ages, and it speaks to the fundamental principles of democracy – secure elections; accepting court rulings on results; peaceful transfers of power; etc.

If you have already signed the pledge…Thank You! Please send it along to your friends and colleagues to sign it, too. If you haven’t, it takes just two minutes. And if you have any concerns about it, email me back. I’d love to hear about them.

Meanwhile, our friends at All Vote No Play have been doing a masterful job of motivating NCAA athletes to be voters and active citizens, in part with their Team Discussion Videos, which has speakers like NBA Coach Steve Kerr, Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and NBA Star Steph Curry. I especially loved Curry’s message, where he said being an active citizen is not an all-or-nothing thing. His message? “Run your own race.”

And when these NCAA athletes go to vote, Americans believe they should be assisted by impartial election officials. That’s according to the latest Election Reformers Network poll, which found that over 80% of very liberal and very conservative voters want impartial and fair election officials. Such officials inspire confidence in elections and, as the Democracy Group’s newest podcast “How Are Election Officials Preparing For The Midterms?” shows, are doing their best to prepare for next month’s elections even as they come under increased scrutiny.

Last, but definitely not least, Open Primaries and Veterans for Political Innovation are teaming up tomorrow @ 2 PM ET for a “Declaration of Independents.” Nearly half of veterans self-identify as independents, and yet states like Pennsylvania require voters to register with a party in order to vote in the primaries. That means you can put your life on the line fighting for our country, but you can’t vote in impactful elections unless you choose a side. Register for this important event and learn more about how veterans are feeling disenfranchised by closed primaries.

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