Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 3, 2024 at 8:18 PM

outlawing water and shade

I’m going to say something controversial: People who work outdoors in extreme heat should get breaks for water and shade. “Wait, what’s so controversial about that, Robert?” Well, apparently it’s controversial for Republicans in Florida. Florida — whose official nickname is, famously, The Suns…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 1, 2024 at 12:20 AM

this weird thing is happening

Earlier today, I emailed to let you know that we are in danger of coming up short in the online fundraising that powers the work you and Public Citizen do together. (That message is copied below in case you missed it.) We just need another 85 people to contribute before midnight tonight. But a …

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  Robert · [email protected]

February 29, 2024 at 9:05 PM

not sure if you saw

Earlier today, I emailed to let you know that we are in danger of coming up short in the online fundraising that powers the work you and Public Citizen do together. (That message is copied below in case you missed it.) We still need 160 people to contribute before midnight tonight. That sounds …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 29, 2024 at 5:51 PM

you deserve to know this

As someone who is part of this shared project called Public Citizen, you deserve to know where things stand. This is a “peek behind the curtain” you might not get from other nonprofit organizations. Public Citizen has always been able to count on an uptick in online donations in the closing days…

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  Robert · [email protected]

February 28, 2024 at 11:30 PM

maybe it's behind the curtain?

Here’s a “peek behind the curtain” you might not get from other nonprofit organizations. Public Citizen has always been able to count on an uptick in online donations in the closing days of a month. Which makes sense — people are catching up on bills, crossing things off to-do lists, and getting …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 28, 2024 at 7:33 PM

need to make sure you know about this

Not sure if you saw my earlier note. It’s copied below in case you missed it. Thanks for giving it a look. - Robert ****** Here’s a “peek behind the curtain” you might not get from other nonprofit organizations. Public Citizen has always been able to count on an uptick in online donations in…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 28, 2024 at 3:35 PM

the best explanation I have

Here’s a “peek behind the curtain” you might not get from other nonprofit organizations. Public Citizen has always been able to count on an uptick in online donations in the closing days of a month. Which makes sense — people are catching up on bills, crossing things off to-do lists, and getting …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 27, 2024 at 7:51 PM

tell Congress: pass this law NOW to protect election workers

All across America, election officials are preparing for violence and even bloodshed at the polls this November. Election workers in some states are being trained in how to recognize exposure to chemical attacks and to administer emergency life-saving treatments. Election workers in Michigan are …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 26, 2024 at 8:39 PM

preparing for bloodshed at the polls

All across America, election officials are preparing for violence and even bloodshed at the polls this November. Election workers in some states are being trained in how to recognize exposure to chemical attacks and to administer emergency life-saving treatments. Election workers in Michigan are …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 23, 2024 at 7:24 PM

claw back every penny

Some welcome news today. The IRS just announced that it will begin cracking down on fraudulent deductions for personal use — by executives, board members, wealthy shareholders, and the like — of corporate jets. Now, billionaires and Big Business have of course found many ways to exploit (that’s…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 22, 2024 at 9:32 PM

levying on a jet plane

Some welcome news today. The IRS just announced that it will begin cracking down on fraudulent deductions for personal use — by executives, board members, wealthy shareholders, and the like — of corporate jets. Now, billionaires and Big Business have of course found many ways to exploit (that’s…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 21, 2024 at 8:16 PM

tell Biden: this would be a monumental failure

Ugh. Over the weekend, news broke that the Biden Administration may sabotage one of its own tools for getting Big Auto to speed up our nation’s transition to electric vehicles. This is the situation: Gasoline-powered cars and trucks are America’s largest single source of greenhouse emissions. S…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 20, 2024 at 7:43 PM

Really, Joe?

Ugh. Over the weekend, news broke that the Biden Administration may sabotage one of its own tools for getting Big Auto to speed up our nation’s transition to electric vehicles. This is the situation: Gasoline-powered cars and trucks are America’s largest single source of greenhouse emissions. S…

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  Robert · [email protected]

February 18, 2024 at 10:05 PM

attacked

I want to make sure you know about the attack on Public Citizen from a billionaire-backed dark money operation. The response to my earlier note — copied below in case you missed it — has been overwhelming. It is a powerful thing to know that so many people are ready to stand with us as we face t…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 18, 2024 at 3:35 PM

we've been accused of threatening violence

If you’re going to read one email from me this month, please make it this one. Public Citizen is under attack from a dark money political operation bankrolled by multiple right-wing billionaires. In a letter to the Department of Justice, the dark money outfit No Labels named Public Citizen as a…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 17, 2024 at 7:08 PM

update on the attack against us

The response to my earlier note about the attack on Public Citizen — from a billionaire-backed dark money operation — has been overwhelming. It is a powerful thing to know that so many people are ready to stand with us as we face this challenge. My original message is copied below in case you m…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 16, 2024 at 7:57 PM

please read this

If you’re going to read one email from me this month, please make it this one. Public Citizen is under attack from a dark money political operation bankrolled by multiple right-wing billionaires. In a letter to the Department of Justice, the dark money outfit No Labels named Public Citizen as a…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 15, 2024 at 8:52 PM

we are under attack

If you’re going to read one email from me this month, please make it this one. Public Citizen is under attack from a dark money political operation bankrolled by multiple right-wing billionaires. In a letter to the Department of Justice, the dark money outfit No Labels named Public Citizen as a…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 14, 2024 at 8:45 PM

does Donald Trump have absolute immunity?

Last week, a panel of appeals judges ruled unanimously that Donald Trump does not have immunity from prosecution for criminal charges stemming from his attempts to remain in power despite losing the 2020 election. That panel, by the way, includes judges appointed by both Democratic and Republica…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 13, 2024 at 9:24 PM

corrupt and disgraceful

Members of Congress are currently allowed to invest in military contractors — even when they have insider information and even as they prop up those same companies with billions upon billions of our taxpayer dollars. “How can that even be legal?” Good question. It’s one more example of just how…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 12, 2024 at 9:14 PM

politicians profiting from Pentagon spending

Members of Congress are currently allowed to invest in military contractors — even when they have insider information and even as they prop up those same companies with billions upon billions of our taxpayer dollars. “How can that even be legal?” Good question. It’s one more example of just how…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 9, 2024 at 7:27 PM

any plans for the next 915,119 years?

Fossil fuel behemoth BP made $13.8 billion in profits last year. To put that number in context: Suppose you make the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. (Yes, the federal minimum wage is still stuck where it was 15 years ago.) You work 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. (No vacation for you!) …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 8, 2024 at 7:14 PM

BP is full of BS

Fossil fuel behemoth BP made $13.8 billion in profits last year. To put that number in context: Suppose you make the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. (Yes, the federal minimum wage is still stuck where it was 15 years ago.) You work 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. (No vacation for you!) …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 7, 2024 at 7:54 PM

there is massive possibility for fraud

“They are compelling and convincing. They sound real. They look real. So there’s massive possibility for fraud.” That’s what I said on NBC Nightly News in a recent feature on deceptive content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) technology — audio, imagery, and video known as “deepfakes” —…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 6, 2024 at 6:53 PM

"we're facing electoral chaos"

“They are compelling and convincing. They sound real. They look real. So there’s massive possibility for fraud.” That’s what I said on NBC Nightly News in a recent feature on deceptive content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) technology — audio, imagery, and video known as “deepfakes” —…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 5, 2024 at 7:37 PM

government of the robots, by the robots, for the robots

“They are compelling and convincing. They sound real. They look real. So there’s massive possibility for fraud.” That’s what I said on NBC Nightly News in a recent feature on deceptive content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) technology — audio, imagery, and video known as “deepfakes” —…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 21, 2024 at 11:35 PM

it was 14 years ago today

It was 14 years ago today that the Supreme Court issued its infamously anti-democratic Citizens United ruling. Public Citizen called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United within moments of the decision being handed down on January 21, 2010. And we’ve been a leader of that m…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 21, 2024 at 4:10 PM

the latest on overturning Citizens United

It was 14 years ago today that the Supreme Court issued its infamously anti-democratic Citizens United ruling. Public Citizen called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United within moments of the decision being handed down on January 21, 2010. And we’ve been a leader of that m…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 21, 2024 at 12:15 AM

one of the most disastrous decisions in the history of the United States

This Sunday marks 14 years since the Supreme Court issued its infamously anti-democratic Citizens United ruling. Public Citizen called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United within moments of the decision being handed down on January 21, 2010. And we’ve been a leader of that…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 20, 2024 at 7:37 PM

saving democracy from the scourge of money in politics

This Sunday marks 14 years since the Supreme Court issued its infamously anti-democratic Citizens United ruling. Public Citizen called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United within moments of the decision being handed down on January 21, 2010. And we’ve been a leader of that…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 18, 2024 at 8:31 PM

we simply must not allow ourselves to become numb or indifferent

A thought exercise: Think of a leader of a country who is infamous for using military force to suppress opposition and even execute political rivals. Maybe you’re thinking of an ancient Roman emperor who operated with almost godlike power. Maybe you’re thinking of Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler. …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 17, 2024 at 7:15 PM

this Supreme Court ruling has undermined our democracy since 2010

It has been 14 years since the Supreme Court issued its infamous Citizens United ruling. For all that time, billionaires and Big Business have been free to spend literally as much as they want “influencing” — i.e. corrupting and distorting — our elections. People sense, accurately, that America i…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 16, 2024 at 7:07 PM

the latest on our campaign to overturn Citizens United

It has been 14 years since the Supreme Court issued its infamous Citizens United ruling. For all that time, billionaires and Big Business have been free to spend literally as much as they want “influencing” — i.e. corrupting and distorting — our elections. People sense, accurately, that America i…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 14, 2024 at 8:24 PM

killing political opponents

A thought exercise: Think of a leader of a country who is infamous for using military force to suppress opposition and even execute political rivals. Maybe you’re thinking of an ancient Roman emperor who operated with almost godlike power. Maybe you’re thinking of Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler. …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 12, 2024 at 9:13 PM

think of a country whose leader could get away with killing political rivals

A thought exercise: Think of a leader of a country who is infamous for using military force to suppress opposition and even execute political rivals. Maybe you’re thinking of an ancient Roman emperor who operated with almost godlike power. Maybe you’re thinking of Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler. …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 11, 2024 at 8:10 PM

gaping holes in airplanes

Last Friday, as you’ve probably seen in the news by now, a huge piece of the wall of an Alaska Airlines jet blew out in midair. The gaping hole in the side of the airplane was easily big enough for a person to pass through — because it was, in fact, a panel that fits in where an extra door could…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 10, 2024 at 7:15 PM

it isn't funny at all

Sometimes politicians are so flagrant in their corruption that it almost seems farcical. But of course it isn’t funny at all if a United States senator takes illegal “gifts” (some might call them bribes) while operating for years as a covert agent of a foreign country. Last fall, Sen. Robert Men…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 9, 2024 at 8:45 PM

this senator should resign

Sometimes politicians are so flagrant in their corruption that it almost seems farcical. But of course it isn’t funny at all if a United States senator takes illegal “gifts” (some might call them bribes) while operating for years as a covert agent of a foreign country. Last fall, Sen. Robert Men…

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  Robert Weissman, Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 2, 2024 at 3:30 PM

in tribute to an American hero, Dr. Sidney Wolfe

America has lost a towering public health leader and an unparalleled consumer champion, Public Citizen has lost one of our founders, and I and many others have lost a great friend. My dear friend Sid Wolfe passed away yesterday. He was 86 years old. Dr. Sidney Wolfe founded the Health Research G…

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  Robert Weissman, Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 1, 2024 at 4:16 AM

thank you, and happy New Year

Public Citizen is nothing — nothing — without supporters like you. For my team and me, it is an absolute privilege to work with you and on your behalf as we tackle some of the most important issues facing our country. With everything on the line in the year ahead, your ongoing support means mor…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 1, 2024 at 2:46 AM

Marjorie Taylor Greene stole our time machine

I don’t know. We need another 255 donations before midnight. That’s just a couple of hours from now. And it’s a Sunday night. And donations have dropped off precipitously. Also, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene stole our time machine. (We’re pretty sure it was her. Of course, without a time mach…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 1, 2024 at 1:31 AM

we're getting death threats

We get so much hate mail at Public Citizen. It seems to be getting worse — perhaps not surprisingly given the increasingly violent rhetoric coming from Donald Trump and his adherents. Here are just a few examples: “I would rip you apart limb from limb if given the chance.” “What’s really sad is…

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  Cinderella · [email protected]

January 1, 2024 at 12:15 AM

I seem to have misplaced a shoe

After midnight, I turn into a pumpkin. Or something. Here’s what else happens after midnight: Anything you donate to Public Citizen *after* midnight tonight will *not* be matched dollar-for-dollar. They’ll still be grateful for your support at a later date, of course. But why miss out on you…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 31, 2023 at 11:01 PM

what the heck is an “ickle”?

Donations have slowed to a trickle. Or, more accurately, something even less than a trickle. An “ickle,” maybe? It’s like we get *this close* to a make-or-break goal, then so many people seem to figure enough other people will chip in that hardly anyone actually does. Yes, Public Citizen has …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 31, 2023 at 10:01 PM

people liked this one

Folks really seemed to appreciate my earlier note about why this particular day — December 31 — is so important for nonprofit organizations like Public Citizen. It’s copied below in case you missed it. We are just hours from our most critical fundraising deadline of the entire year, so please g…

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  Robert · [email protected]

December 31, 2023 at 8:36 PM

could use your help with something

You’ve signed petitions and sent messages to President Biden and other administration officials, the United States Senate and House of Representatives, individual members of Congress, governors (of both red and blue states), multinational corporations and their CEOs, and a certain indicted indivi…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 31, 2023 at 7:13 PM

uh-oh

I’ll put it as plainly as I can: On December 31 last year, we had 961 donations come through in response to my emails about our critical year-end fund drive. So far today? Just 342. With less than 10 hours until midnight — our most critical fundraising deadline of the entire year. Please dona…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 31, 2023 at 4:30 PM

fleeing to a private island

Folks really seemed to appreciate my earlier note pulling back the curtain a bit on where things stand with Public Citizen right now. It’s copied below in case you missed it. I hope you’ll give it a look. Thank you! - Robert ****** In the coming year, the American people will face wave after…

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  Robert Weissman, Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 31, 2023 at 3:01 PM

Fwd: "I will kill you without remorse"

My sincere appreciation to everyone who responded about the death threats we’ve been receiving here at Public Citizen headquarters. My earlier note is copied below in case you missed it. - Robert ****** We get so much hate mail at Public Citizen. It seems to be getting worse — perhaps not su…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

December 31, 2023 at 1:04 PM

in case you think this doesn't really matter

I know you’re getting a lot of emails right now from organizations whose work you support. Let me explain why this is the most important day of the year when it comes to fundraising for nonprofits like Public Citizen: Public Citizen spreads our fundraising out over the course of a year more than…

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