The Leisure World Democratic Club hosted People for the American Way President Ralph Neas Thursday, May 12 in Silver Spring. Mr. Neas discussed his activist organization and other organizations' efforts to defend the U.S. Senate filibuster rule that protects against abuse of power.

Art Fabel of the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance asked Mr. Neas what we as citizens can do to help, and Neas invited us to help out at their "Nerve Center' downtown DC. If you live in the Washington DC area, help staff PFAW's phone bank this Sunday and all next week. To ask questions or RSVP, call / contact Kristin Bateman, PFAW Action Center Manager (202-467-2393) or call / contact Art Fabel (301)-460-5716 (land line) (301)-802-2535 (cell).

Mr. Neas explained that the right wing intends to "starve" the government so programs people rely on - from education, environmental and consumer protection to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security would be defunded. Next week's Senate vote on the "Nuclear Option" would let the far right ramrod thru legislation and stack the federal courts and the Supreme Court.

If what PFAW calls "the bullies" get their way, this would unleash a right wing rampage turning back the clock on hard-won advances in Civil and Equal Rights, Voting Rights, Privacy, and nearly every other protection we've come to trust.

Impending Senate Vote on the "Nuclear Option"

Senator Frist will likely bring the nominations of Janice Rogers Brown and Priscilla Owen to the floor next week - and will likely use this as an opportunity to pull the "nuclear" trigger to do away with the filibuster for judicial nominations. In these final weeks, we must do everything we can to convince undecided senators not back the "Nuclear Option."

If the radical right ends 200+ years of Senate tradition called the filibuster, they will stack the federal courts and the Supreme Court with extremists. Ralph Neas warns the radicals also plan to "starve" programs millions of us need - including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Some right wing leaders admit they plan to reverse decades of progress on Civil and Equal Rights, Environmental, Employment and other Protections. The "nuclear option" would let them turn back the clock on hard-won advances making this the most critical battle to protect our way of life in decades. See: http://www.pfaw.org for more details.

Help PFAW Lead the Fight to Save the Senate and Courts

In response to PFAW ads airing across the country, thousands of concerned Americans are calling the Filibuster Hotlines to join the fight. You can help prevent consolidation of absolute power in extreme right wing hands. Help answer phones and make calls at the PFAW office encouraging people to demand their Senators protect the American Way from right wing abuse. The Senate vote is coming up and will be very close. We must stop the extreme "bullies" now. We may not get another chance.

Volunteer to help convince key senators this week!

Some courageous Republican Senators have already put the Constitution and the national interest above crass party politics by choosing to stand up against this extreme power-grab. We still need a few more Republicans to break with Sen. Bill Frist and Sen. Trent Lott to stand up for tradition, principle, the balance of powers and checks and balances as established in the Constitution.

As PFAW Action Center Manager Kristin Bateman explains, "We are continuing to call People for the American Way members in states with senators who could prove crucial to halting Frist's underhanded plan to eliminate the filibuster - to get them to contact their senators, sign the petition, and spread the word. Let me know if you can make it!"

Mobilize PFAW members in key states!

Save our Senate at the PFAW "Nerve Center"
2000 M Street, NW DC, Suite 400 (5th floor)
Metro: Dupont Circle (Red Line) / Farragut West (Blue/Orange Lines)

Sunday, May 15 - 10 am to 2 pm - the kick-off
Monday, May 16 through Thursday, May 19 - 9 am to 9 pm
Friday, May 20 - 9 am to 6 pm - the home stretch

RSVP: Email Kristin Bateman - volunteer@pfaw.org or call (202-467-2393)

Email this article to your friends. Print out and pass out this flier.

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