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So it's a week after Election Day, Joe Biden has won the presidency, Democrats have a lead in the House, and 2 Senate seats from Georgia are going to a run-off in January. Here's what that means, why it's important, and how to help: A Thread.
Democrats (inc. Independents) and Republicans are tied 48:48 in the Senate. There are 4 seats left to call, 2 of which are leaning Republican. The other 2 are the seats in GA that are in the run-off. A run-off is a second election because no candidate reached 50% of the votes.
For a majority, a party needs 51 votes OR if it's tied, which this could be if both Dem. candidates in GA win, majority goes to the party of the VP, i.e. Dems.
Why is a majority important?
Why is a majority important?
Mitch McConnell is the reason so many bills die in the Senate. He referred to himself as the Grim Reaper blocking any bill from Democrats. He is why healthcare, stimulus checks for working people, minimum wage increases, etc. get shot down or never raised. https://www.npr.org/2019/07/30/746687036/a-look-at-the-power-wielded-by-senate-majority-leader-mitch-mcconnell
Our checks and balances system means the legislative branch (Congress - House and Senate) should be equal to the executive (Presidential), but this system has been amended so many times that the power structures are defunct.
Executive Orders combined with Majority Leader power to stall any and all legislation is part of why our government seemingly does NOTHING or does EVERYTHING contradictorily. If House, Senate, and Presidential are all Dem, we can actually get legislation through to help citizens.
This is especially important with the 6-3 Conservative leaning in SCOTUS. The checks and balances systems have not been representative of the majority will of the American people, so it is important to show up and vote Dem in the Georgia run-off to gain control in the Senate.
What if I'm not a GA resident and still want to help? You can educate others on why Dems gaining control of the Senate is so crucial, you can volunteer with GA organisations, and you can donate to GA Dem causes. Here are some links:
@FastCompanySA put together this excellent list of ways to help and places to get involved https://www.fastcompany.com/90572782/how-to-donate-to-the-georgia-senate-runoff-election-7-ways-to-help-the-races-before-january
Black Voters Matter organise to make sure people are educated, registered, and secure their right to vote in our democracy https://blackvotersmatterfund.org/donate/
Get to know the Candidates and donate directly to them. Raphael Warnock's ( @ReverendWarnock) campaign website is here https://warnockforgeorgia.com/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=9abc1ed9610582203db5980c1eade70f962d00a0-1605016170-0-AYVyz1myWiGaveF_mKUkisIZpNdJexfCOSKGU6IPPRfxghAnVFXvhBrIAUo4xfst7eS-Kh1xN74qhOdSNw_Mr18xHmfWUWKO3wUCFzm9qYtKqgAY9GZQKAYPPKlU3aQzPmQSEW3d4Rwo2wZmrazEwUu4VHesxIYUpVR-rgI6WxtTHyCgr2RGufs4iPK7Jg3DdAqdcmyQVm1zR6NdFzLD2DteYHntAbwdwiT7bYWuoWyu9yLvaxNsDCA_t5BXsPq8XDzY9pW5jAgMRszGmncku7dQGJibI1hxMXinaDz_-fDfNTvZg7Fwzo5kJGCaXSms0WdSQD0RD5NGlDJw0EIl8s8
Jon Ossoff's ( @ossoff) website is here https://electjon.com/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=2590dff909b959b7ca2516fc2018e7d2a2de9517-1605016303-0-AS6vbvWfMD4QmRqk6kGHUisMxRlTaM46qfvdYLDmWF1h04u8oOW6WkqI7m5jPZ0tw2mrnYW1BU8s7eI5MMjr4YOKSmDLolJCmbw38SmnBUgHluj9QVmvzCJ_hWePPcce3Qr3TusR_x_11HNLLE-UKnXgT1AcP8dvwk-lX_KOzY3PN0nbZk0UnlbPSnnZaUSvYcWDuUO3KvM0eGrNgNtlDLq0MCOU78YdoWQgu8nBIihBiq1SCjhzzxRI1FZGQw32YcWgv_DGjO4DrcaHMMnu_I0HfvWB2GCELXSEcP0ygUetfmIhHDOQByl09vY7lYGbVKKiJQ2PMqGWebNaFq3JwZM
Donate to and support the New Georgia Project that helps to register citizens all across Georgia. https://newgeorgiaproject.org/
There are so many ways to help and so many ways to get involved in this extremely important run-off election. This is the work that needs to be done to ensure Biden's victory actually means our government can function and move forward.
If Dems get the Senate, @BernieSanders will deliver on all of the promises and issues we've all been so passionate about. This is the key race that is so important to moving us forward with healthcare, $15 living wage, stimulus checks to help your family in a pandemic and more.
It's more work, but we've gotten this far. We have 2 months to organise and flip Georgia's Senate race. Get involved, get donating, do the work, and we can all sleep easier come January.
