Now is the time to double down — stand with us

On January 5th, Pat McCrory was sworn in as Governor of North Carolina. And if his appointments and the subsequent behavior of our General Assembly are any indication at all, it means that January 5th was also the day on which the right wing took control of our state. 

The far right took control of our public universities, which were built by progressives. They took control of our public parks and beaches, which in the past have been protected and preserved for all. They took control of the state agencies, including those charged with protecting the public, promoting opportunity and caring for the less fortunate. And they have wasted no time gutting programs, promoting corporate interests over the people’s interests, turning their backs on citizen and consumer advocates, attempting to privatize entire state agencies while introducing one intrusive law after another — laws which regulate our most private behaviors. They have also passed or proposed laws to subvert local authority and defy federal laws. Because of their extreme ideology, they have even turned down, literally, billions of dollars in federal money intended to help North Carolinians. And they are just getting started.

The right wing vocally disdains government, yet now they are in charge of it and it is larger and more intrusive than ever. And so, what now? What is our response?

This is our response: now is the time for progressives in North Carolina to double-down. Now is the time we recommit to holding public officials accountable for their words and for their actions. Now is  the time we remember and reconnect with the progressive values which built this state. And yes, we are asking for your help to do so.

Please donate $25 or $30 today to help us hold the right wing accountable as they grab the wheels of power in North Carolina and take us on their extremist joy ride.

Even better: stand with us each and every day as we fight for North Carolina’s future. For just $10 a month, you can become a sustaining donor of Progress North Carolina and help fund our “Jones Street Accountability Project” to hold right wing lawmakers accountable for their conduct, statements, bills, and votes in the NC General Assembly. The right wing is now in charge. They need to be watched, recorded, and, undoubtedly, at times exposed.

There is a lot at stake. Some of these extremists want to “profitize” our public schools. Others want big right wing donors to control our public university system’s curriculum. Still others, the enemies of science and climate deniers, want to outlaw the rising sea tides and put a stop to green energy programs that have created a whole new industry and thousands of badly needed jobs for our state. Don’t let them prevail.

Make no mistake about it. The right wing wants to erase North Carolina’s progressive legacy and re-make this state in their own rigid, regressive image. They hope to do it while people like you are not watching. Well, guess what? Progress North Carolina is watching, and we will be reporting their actions to you. With your sustaining support of just $10 per month, we can hold the right wing accountable and make sure that North Carolina gets back to its legacy of progress, where everyone plays by the same set of rules and where every family has a fair shot at a prosperous future.

Thanks for standing strong with us.