Background: Abbie writes: As some of you know, I have been sidelined due to my husband’s heart problems. (Triple bypass surgery hopefully successful.) This pause in my normal routine has given me an occasion to listen to a lot of podcasts and read a lot of substacks and news sources. I’ve come to two realizations:

Realization #1: Given the enormous and outrageous quantity and variety of harms that are being perpetrated on the American public by this administration through its Project 2025 and Big Ugly Budget Bill, it’s almost impossible for any single person to keep up. Therefore the most useful thing we can each do, is pick one battle in the fight to save democracy, and focus most of our energy on it. For Maine voters, right now, this is probably the campaign to defeat the upcoming voter suppression referendum on the November 2025 ballot. More on that below.

Realization #2: This concentration of effort does not mean that we neglect making phone calls to our elected officials on other important issues, but it does mean that we become more efficient, picking a simple and reliable method of getting our voices heard. Consider the following:

· The “5 calls app” has a comprehensive and timely list of issues with background and suggested “scripts”. It’s available for both apple (https://apps.apple.com/app/id1202558609) and android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.a5calls.android.a5calls&pli=1) and works on a phone or tablet. The focus is usually national. Once you have decided to make a call, do not copy the suggested script verbatim – use your own words. Also, make your call directly to the relevant office rather than clicking through the app. These procedures will increase your effectiveness. Also, call your state representative and senator on the same issue. Even if they aren’t voting on that issue, it’s important that they know where their constituents stand - especially if you are “represented” by a Republican!

· Consider signing up for Emanuel Pariser’s email notifications. These have good information about Maine issues. The focus is statewide with a Waterville-area emphasis. emanuel.pariser@gmail.com.

Action: (Back to Realization #1) Let’s all volunteer at https://saveabsentee.me. This website provides all the background you need *. We MUST increase voter turnout to defeat this harmful referendum. You may think “oh, there’s three months until we vote on this issue, no emergency”. However, one of the most important things we can do now is to organize a local canvassing effort. This takes a lot of advance planning, training and recruitment, and there is no time to waste. While protecting our vote should be the “foot in the door” issue, we will find people eager to discuss the myriad other threats to our future. For example, many of our friends and neighbors may lose their MaineCare, northern and downeast Maine hospitals may be doomed, and the remaining facilities in southern Maine will be swamped.

Urgency: Download the “5 Calls” app this week, and start a regular program. Many have found tapping onto “5 Calls” along with their morning coffee, and allocating a half hour to making calls, is a good way to start every day. To defeat the Maine referendum, Sign up at https://saveabsentee.me/how-to-get-involved/ and decide how you want to help the effort. The perpetrators of the referendum are well funded and relentless in their perverse desire to make voting difficult for YOU. Don’t let them get away with it.

Extra credit:

*You can also dig through your archives or https://isledems.org/actionitems and find Action #8 which we sent in January. Also Actions # 9, 24, 54, 77, 81, 88, 90. The SAVE act hasn’t progressed through the Senate. Instead, the right wingers are focused on state level voter suppression, like the Maine referendum.

https://roberthubbell.substack.com/p/live-with-robert-b-hubbell-731?utm_source=podcast-email&publication_id=271358&post_id=169313545&utm_campaign=email-play-on-substack&utm_content=watch_now_button&r=2ycvh&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

Here are your legislators. Save this in an accessible place to facilitate your contacting them.

Senator Susan Collins: Email: www.collins.senate.gov/contact/email-senator-collins/form

Phone: (202) 224-2523 (DC office), (207) 945-0417 (Bangor office)

Senator Angus King: Email www.king.senate.gov/contact

Phone: (202) 224-5344 (DC office), (207) 945-8000 (Bangor office)

Representative Jared Golden: Email: golden.house.gov/contact

Phone: (202) 224-3121 (DC office), (207) 249-7400 (Bangor office)

Representative Chellie Pingree: Email: https://pingree.house.gov/contact/

Phone: (202) 225-6116 (DC office), (207) 774-5019 (Portland office)