front.moveon.org/greece/ ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Victoria Kaplan, MoveOn.org Political Action < [email protected]> Date: Thu, Jul 16, 2015 at 10:08 AM Subject: Stand with Greece: Make a call for progress, not austerity
Dear MoveOn member, Early Thursday morning, the Greek parliament approved the austerity package forced upon Greece by its European creditors. The package slashes pensions, privatizes even more core state functions, and attacks unions and workers' collective bargaining rights. But there's still a chance for a fairer deal. *A bombshell IMF report released to the press this week insists that debt relief is essential for any reforms or bailout to work.*2 Without debt relief, we'll be right back where we are now, but worse. It's not too late. The IMF—now pushing for debt relief—is one of Greece's three creditors. And Treasury Secretary Jack Lew is in Germany and France this week, meeting with members of the other two creditors—the European Central Bank and the European Commission—reportedly to press his, the IMF's, and President Obama's case for debt relief.3 We can help press the case for debt relief, but time is tight. *Can you call Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and U.S. Executive Director to the IMF Mark Sobel right now? * You can say, "I'm a member of the U.S. public and I've followed the push for debt relief for Greece this week. I'm calling to thank you for calling for debt relief for Greece, and to encourage you to fight hard for progress, not austerity." Here's where to call: Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew: (202) 622-1270 International Monetary Fund U.S. Executive Director Mark Sobel: (202) 623-7000, then ask to be transferred to Mark Sobel's office (If the IMF feels like a far-off institution, remember that U.S. taxpayers supply 17% of the IMF's budget, and the U.S. holds a disproportionate share of votes in IMF decision making.)4 Then *click here to report your call <http://pol.moveon.org/call?cp_id=2303&tg=946.949&id=&t=1>* so we understand the impact we're making together. Your call can help make sure Secretary Lew and leaders at the IMF know the American people have their back in keeping up the fight for debt relief for Greece. You'll probably speak to a receptionist—that's great. The Treasury Department and the IMF aren't used to getting lots of calls like this, so lots of us calling throughout the day will get our message across and show there's real support behind their push for debt relief. We're also launching online ads today, to raise the pressure. The people of Greece are feeling the uncertainty most acutely, with poverty and homelessness on the rise.5 Everything we do today can make a difference. Economists like Robert Reich, Thomas Piketty, and Paul Krugman, along with millions of other people, have been saying that debt relief and restructuring must be part of any real path to economic stability in Europe. But so far, the European countries calling the shots are pushing only austerity, not debt relief—a recipe for further recession, default, and pain for millions of Greeks. Many have criticized the IMF previously for its role in deepening the Greek crisis.6 But right now, the IMF is doing the right thing by calling for debt relief, and we can show that there's widespread support for that demand. *Greece's creditors still have to approve the agreement, and negotiations continue by the minute. Now is the time to push hard for debt relief for Greece.* Can you make the call right now? Here's where to call: Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew: (202) 622-1270 International Monetary Fund U.S. Executive Director Mark Sobel: (202) 623-7000, then ask to be transferred to Mark Sobel's office You can say, "I'm a member of the U.S. public and I've followed the push for debt relief for Greece this week. I wanted to call and thank you for calling for debt relief for Greece, and encourage you to fight hard for progress, not austerity." Then *click here to report your call <http://pol.moveon.org/call?cp_id=2303&tg=946.949&id=&t=2>*, so we can track our collective impact. Thanks for all you do. –Victoria, Justin R., Joan, Stephen, and the rest of the team P.S. After you've made your calls, will you invite others to join you by posting on Facebook <http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=305493&id=&t=3> or tweeting <https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffront.moveon.org%2Fgreece%2F%23.VaffR7_O2_Q.twitter&related=&text=Thank+you+%40POTUS%2C+%40USTreasury+Sec.+Lew%2C+IMF+Dir.+%40Lagarde+for+calling+for+debt+relief+for+Greece.+Keep+pressing%21> ? Sources: 1. "Greece, Its Back to the Wall, Adopts Austerity Steps," *The New York Times*, July 15, 2015 http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=305487&id=&t=4 2. "IMF appears to be only one looking out for Greece's long-term future," *The Guardian*, July 15, 2015 http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=305488&id=&t=5 3. Ibid. 4. "I.M.F. Report Shines Uncomfortable Light on Greece's Financing Gap," *The New York Times*, July 15, 2015 http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=305489&id=&t=6 5. "Who's on the Hook for the IMF's Greek Bailout?" *The Wall Street Journal*, May 5, 2015 http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=305490&id=&t=7 6. "Greece Financial Crisis Hits Poorest and Hungriest the Hardest," *The New York Times*, July 11, 2015 http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=305491&id=&t=8 *Want to support our work?* We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Start a monthly donation here <https://pol.moveon.org/contrib/pacmonthly_footer.html?id=&t=121> or chip in a one-time donation here <https://pol.moveon.org/contrib/pac_footer.html?id=&t=120>. ------------------------------ PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
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