Outrage is the easy part. Heck, it's the part that's tough to escape even if you want to. Outrage without action will only take you so far though, and Republicans in the state legislature are making on living on turning outrage into obstructionism and obstructionism into the elimination of fundamental services. The calculation is that a Republican can't win any other way- without adhering desperately to a government philosophy that does nothing but erode the ability of the state to do anything. To run it into the ground; break it all apart.

Fighting back requires turning outrage into action. It's calling out irresponsible behavior, but it's also making the case to your friends and neighbors. There's no real substitute for personal interaction, but you can reach a much larger audience by writing a letter to the editor of your local paper demanding that Republicans get serious and responsible on the budget. Democratic leaders in Sacramento are fighting to protect vital services in the face of a serious deficit, but they need everyone's help to make the case throughout the state and make the message heard.

Robert Cruickshank wrote Courage members today explaining what's at stake and what can be done:

"Our state budget is truly in crisis. Since this year's budget was signed just two months ago, revenues are now projected to drop by more than $11 billion. I don't think it is fully understood how severe this crisis is." -Assemblymember John Laird, Monterey Herald, November 13, 2008.

You can help solve this crisis.

President-elect Barack Obama's victory was a rejection of the conservative anti-government policies espoused by discredited right-wing ideologue Grover Norquist. But somebody forgot to tell that to the California Republican Party.

As fires rage across Southern California and as the state's economy sputters to a halt, extremist Republicans are planning to use the budget crisis to attack and undermine the public services we depend on to remain safe in our homes and secure in our finances.

Earlier this year, these same Republicans refused to fund increased firefighting resources that were called for after the 2003 fires. And now they demand crippling cuts in education and health care spending, cuts that will worsen the economic crisis.

We cannot let these right-wing extremists succeed in destroying our public services.

One of the most effective ways you can help Californians stop this Republican obstruction is to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Click here to send a letter right now, using our easy tool and talking points:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/BudgetLetters

Republicans can hold the budget hostage because California is just one of three states that requires a 2/3rds vote in the Legislature to approve a budget.

Since Democrats don't have 2/3rds of the seats, Republican votes are necessary to fund government services. California Republicans want to use that leverage to cut taxes for the wealthy and cut the services the rest of us need.

Progressives like Assemblymember John Laird, Speaker Karen Bass, and Senate President Darrell Steinberg are going to fight for a responsible budget solution. But they will not be able to break this right-wing resistance without your help.

We need to mobilize Californians against this Republican obstruction and for a progressive New Deal for our state. Can you write a letter to the editor demanding that the Republicans stop using the 2/3rds rule to block a fair budget solution, and instead start working to revive California?

http://www.couragecampaign.org/BudgetLetters

We must also recognize that the budget crisis is caused by California's broken state government. We need more than a fair budget deal - we need to fundamentally change the way California is governed. Californians need to take power out of the hands of the far right and put it back where it belongs -- with you.

Within the next week, we will introduce an agenda for fundamental reform to fix California, from political reforms to budget reforms. And we will ask you to participate in shaping and implementing that agenda.

But first we need to deliver the message to Californian Republicans that Barack Obama's election delivered a progressive mandate for California as well as the United States. Please write a letter and ask your friends to write one as well by forwarding this message.

Thank you for helping us stop the Republicans from destroying California's economic prosperity and future.

Robert Cruickshank
Public Policy Director
Courage Campaign