Everyone enraged by this SCOTUS news: There's still 1 last line of defense to protect Americans. If the new SCOTUS guts basic rights, state legislatures can pass laws to protect them. And these legislative races are on the ballot NOW. Pls share & read to see how to help (1/11)

Here's how it works: If the new SCOTUS overturns Roe v Wade, the state of PA could pass its own law protecting choice—if the PA legislature is Democratic. If SCOTUS strikes down the ACA, NC could pass a law protecting preexisting conditions—if it has a Dem majority. (2/11)

That’s right: If the new SCOTUS strikes down the ACA, states can put their own protections for preexisting conditions (eg, diabetes, asthma, COVID-19) into state law. But only if they have Dem majorities. Which makes the state legislative races next week HUGELY important. (3/11)

This approach may seem far-fetched, but it's happened many times. Although the Supreme Court gutted voting rights protections seven years ago, 39 states have expanded early voting. A bunch also passed measures like automatic voter registration. https://www.americasgoals.org/4b/early-voting  (4/11)

Remember SCOTUS's horrible 2010 decision in Citizens United? Conservative justices sought to alter our democracy by allowing for unlimited corporate independent spending. But 22 states have passed measures to get corporate money out of politics. https://www.americasgoals.org/4a/corporate-contributions (5/11)

Then there’s marriage equality. States passed laws to recognize it, which led to the Court’s decision that the Due Process clause guaranteed the right to marry. The dissents even recognized the power of state legislatures to advance this policy. (6/11)

So, which legislatures are currently in GOP control but ripe to be flipped? Start with AZ, IA, MI, MN, & NC. Each of these need <10 seats to shift control. And huge states like FL, PA, & TX are also controlled by the GOP but within flipping distance as we speak. (7/11)

Many states primed for Dem takeovers don't have expanded Medicaid. If we flip their legislatures, that's the first thing many new majorities would tackle. Along with issues like repro rights, voting rights, healthcare, the environment & many more. (8/11) https://twitter.com/FutureNowUSA/status/1315704779742511104?s=20

By contrast, these efforts will FAIL in states where Trump’s GOP runs legislatures. Take it from me. As a state senator, I sponsored a law to crack down on corporate contributions after the Citizens United decision. But the GOP controlled my state senate & blocked a vote. (9/11)

So how can you help? First, please VOTE in your state legislative races. These can be overlooked in presidential years, but are so important. If you have the means to contribute to campaigns, please do so. To find where to help, visit http://futurenow.org . (10/11)

There's no way to sugarcoat it: The Barrett confirmation was undemocratic & reprehensible. It’s a devastating blow. But we have 1 last line of defense. Over the next week we must ALL do everything possible to win state legislatures.

Our fundamental rights depend on it. (/END.)