Options for the week of September 8
- Blowing Rock Persisters
- Sep 8
- 2 min read
We agree with Greg Pak’s words on Bluesky: “The time is now. Right now. Time for literally all of us to push back against fascism. You don’t have to and literally can’t do EVERYTHING. Don’t worry about that. Just pick the one or two issues/ things you know and care about and join the people who are doing practical things to help.”
That’s why we send out these weekly emails, with a special eye to building local connections and power. We never expect anyone to do everything, but we hope we all find ways to push against fascism and for democracy, justice, and compassion.
Calendar of upcoming events
Thursday, September 11, 9-10 am
Blowing Rock Town Hall
State Rep. Ray Pickett is Chamber’s featured speaker. Given the essential value of Blowing Rock Elementary and Watauga High School to the Blowing Rock community, we hope he will explain why he voted to give millions in vouchers to private schools that serve a fraction of the state’s population and often refuse to accept students, especially those with disabilities. Meanwhile, the legislature hasn’t yet passed a budget to fund our public schools. We also question Pickett’s choice to sponsor legislation that would make it harder for a community to aid those experiencing homelessness.
Call your representative to share your concerns
This week, we suggest contacting Senators Budd and Tillis. Tell them to demand the resignation of Secretary R.F. Kennedy, Jr, whose lies about vaccines endanger the lives of everyone in this country. Later in the week, you might ask them again to stop sending troops into our cities and to stop giving funds to any country that uses starvation as a weapon of war.
Wondering if you can get a Covid vaccine this fall? It’s been challenging even for those over 65, and pharmacies are still waiting to receive supplies. If you experience difficulty, including having to get a prescription from your doctor, that may be one more point to raise when you call your representatives.
Other reasons to call your representatives can be found at 5calls.org and https://ncnewsline.com/. Contact information for your representatives is posted at https://blowingrockpersisters.blogspot.com/p/contact-your-representatives.html
Worth Reading
At the end of last week’s board meeting of the Watauga County Commission, the chair announced that all of the board members would be attending the local GOP’s September 20th Lincoln-Reagan dinner featuring Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio. One wonders if local Republicans know who they are embracing? Granted, the concept of consent may be foreign to a party reliant on gerrymandering.
Progress NC Action provided an overview of the impact of the federal Republican budget–
Raising electricity costs an average of $700 per household
Raising healthcare premiums by 7% for everyone and 75% for those on ACA marketplace, as well as making healthcare itself 29% more expensive for everyone due to these changes.
Add that to the projected impact of Trump’s tariffs costing the average household $2400 (and creating permanent uncertainty for small business owners), all while grocery costs continue to rise
We are paying dearly to make life even easier for a handful of billionaires.
