Small “d” democracy

By Mark Lurinsky

For those who have been paying attention, it’s apparent that Joe Biden’s accomplishments in mustering a massive and effective united front of nations countering Putin’s naked aggression on Ukraine have been nothing short of astonishing. Most recently, 140 countries have joined us at the U.N. General Assembly in deploring the invasion and demanding that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces,” leaving the Russian autocrat virtually isolated on the diplomatic front. And Fortune reported on February 28 that “the sanctions against Russia went from toothless to devastating overnight as its economy began collapsing.”

Small “d” democracy

By Mark Lurinsky

It’s well known that New Jersey Republican politician Thomas H. Kean, Jr., now gearing up to challenge Rep. Tom Malinowski for the second time this fall, is the heir to a long political dynasty going back at least to his great-great-grandfather. What’s equally plain this month is that if there is a gene in his family’s “political DNA” for integrity, it skipped a generation with Thomas Junior.

BlueWaveNJ is proud to endorse Governor Murphy’s nomination of Matt Platkin for New Jersey’s Next Attorney General and we urge the Senate to quickly confirm him.

The oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court this week have shown that existing national protections for abortion and other reproductive rights may not long survive. This makes it essential that the New Jersey legislature act during the current brief session to pass the Reproductive Freedom Act that not only codifies these rights into state law but also makes abortion fully accessible to all New Jerseyans. Governor Murphy needs this bill on his desk to act.

We are asking you to contact the Legislature Leadership and show your support for passing the RFA.

BlueWaveNJ’s board unanimously endorsed Governor Phil Murphy for reelection based on his extensive track record of progressive accomplishments as well as his leadership and compassion during this unprecedented crisis.  

Under Governor Murphy, New Jersey has made strides in expanding economic opportunities for working families, lowering the costs of health care, tackling longstanding racial inequities, and creating a stronger, fairer economy that works for every family.

By Andrew Sprung

On June 15, by a 7-2 vote, the Supreme Court dispatched the third and most ridiculous Republican attempt to nullify the Affordable Care Act through the courts. The premise of the dismissed suit  -- that the Republican Congress rendered the ACA unconstitutional when they zeroed out the "individual mandate" in their 2017 tax bill -- was almost as fraudulent as indicted Texas attorney general Ken Paxton's suit claiming that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump, and promulgated by substantially the same cohort of Republican attorneys general. 

If there was ever a time when the U.S. Department of Justice must be in the best of hands, it’s now. And President Biden has nominated Kristen Clarke - just the type of leader that’s needed - to be Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.

Become a BlueWaveNJ member today and receive free tickets to our upcoming virtual events including our Discussions with NJ Congressional Leaders. 

www.bluewavenj.org/support

Our first Congressional discussion is on April 15th with Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill and Professor Kathleen Gerson Women, Work and the Pandemic, and we are busy planning our next not-to-be-missed event with Congressman Andy Kim, date and time to be announced shortly. By becoming a member, you will receive free tickets to all our digital 2021 events.

www.BlueWaveNJ.org/april15

With the support of our members, BlueWaveNJ made a huge difference in the 2020 election campaign and had a significant impact on important legislation. We have an ambitious agenda for 2021 and we need your help. You can learn more about what we've accomplished and what we are doing this year at www.BlueWaveNJ.org/about.

Become a member here.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT

With the new conservative majority on our Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade is in jeopardy.

Here in New Jersey we are working to pass The Reproductive Freedom Act. The RFA is ground-breaking legislation that will codify the right to abortion for everyone in New Jersey. It also expands access to pregnancy-related care and birth control with a focus on historically marginalized communities.

It doesn't matter that Trump has just eight days left in his term, his behavior is too dangerous for us to wait it out. By impeachment, the House takes a moral stand and affirms that incitement to overthrow elected government will not be tolerated now or in the future, and those that try will be held accountable. Anything less sets an unbelievably dangerous precedent. Trump's egregious behavior should make this automatic for every representative.

If you have a NJ Democratic congressional representative, please take the time to thank them for doing their duty and holding the president accountable. Find your representative's contact info here.

We also need to express our concern (outrage) towards those that violate the rule of law.

If you are in Chris Smith's district (NJ04), we are emailing you separately to urge him to vote for impeachment. He has not yet come out in support of removing the President, but he did not participate in the treasonous attempt to vote against certifying the electoral college vote. This small gesture of patriotism gives us hope that he might be swayed to vote for Trump's removal from office.

If you live in the turncoat Jeff Van-Drew's district, please contact his office and demand his immediate resignation. He has completely sold out the people of New Jersey by supporting and disseminating Trump's lies. After his disgraceful party switch, he has become one of Trump's most militant supporters. Not only did he vote to object to the legally certified electoral college results, he amplified dangerous assertions he knew were untrue in a speech on the House floor. This behavior should not be forgiven. If you live in his district, call for his resignation.

This has been a stressful time for all of us. In just eight days Democrats will take control of the entire government. Let's ask our representatives to make sure that Trump will not remain in a position to further disrupt and hinder this constitutionally-mandated transfer of power.

Everyone at BlueWaveNJ hopes you and your families are staying safe and sane.