 A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL HOLIDAY CAMPUS HIGHLIGHT The University of South Carolina DM intern Nicole Hamilton describes founding a DM chapter at her school this fall. “I’d become incredibly concerned about the state of our country and the low level of students’ political participation. Here in South Carolina, there is a sheer divide between those who are tuned into politics and those who aren’t. What I love so much about Democracy Matters is that our grassroots organizing appeals to both these groups.”This Fall’s been great! DM meetings are a safe space for everyone to speak their minds. We’ve registered voters and created popular events like bingo and open mic nights. It’s incredibly gratifying to see so many students actively engaged in politics, and passionate about protecting democracy.” QUOTE of the MONTH “Building a winning movement requires year-round support and investment. And the time for that investment is now.” Craig Walters, Director of Georgia’s grassroots organizing, commenting on the upcoming 2024 presidential election.“ IDEA of the MONTH Back to High School During winter break, Democracy Matters college students will return to their high schools to talk about the importance of voting and of young people making their voices heard. In government, social studies and history classes, DMers will describe the excitement of working with others to protect and strengthen democracy, and encourage high schoolers to get involved! CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE More than three dozen members of Congress already have announced they won’t seek re-election. November alone brought the most retirements in any single month for over a decade. What’s going on?Rep. Blumenauer, (D-OR) cited the “toxic political environment” in Congress as the reason for his decision. Rep. Debbie Lesko, (R-AZ) explained “Right now, Washington, D.C. is broken; it’s hard to get anything done.” Rep.Dan Kildee, (D-MI) is leaving because of “the absolute chaos and the lack of any serious commitment to effective governance.”Compounding the problem is the flight of experienced members. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), who is not leaving Congress, worries that “It’s exactly the wrong people who are wanting to leave.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/26/us/politics/congress-retirement-republicans-democrats.html YOUNG VOTERS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE Attuned to social issues like abortion, young voters helped swing the 2022 midterm elections to Democrats. In this month’s column, Mandle argues that for the upcoming presidential campaign, a similar emphasis on issues like abortion, climate change, and democracy is essential to motivate young people to energize a 2024 victory. https://www.democracymatters.org/money_on_my_mind/4741 FACTS YOU CAN USE Fixing the Supreme Court Trust in the Supreme Court has fallen to unprecedented levels. More than two thirds of young people and sixty percent of the American people say they can’t trust the present Court. In response, US senators led by Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have introduced legislation limiting Supreme Court terms to 18 years. The reform would also stagger appointments so that a new justice is appointed every four years. Each president could appoint only two justices a term. Noting that a majority of Americans support term limits, Whitehouse argues that the Court is “out of step with the American people.” He believes that his bill will begin to “restore the integrity of this scandal-plagued Court.” The Brennan Center for Justice is circulating a petition in support of the term-limits legislation. Check it out: https://brennan.gospringboard.com/secure/term-limits?utm_medium=WEB&utm_source=mainsite&utm_content=TermLimits&cid=7018Y000001hoJOQAY&ms=WEB_mainsite_TermLimits |