At CREDO, we give you a voice, with easy, effective ways to support causes you believe in.
In 2008 you spoke louder than ever. Using our activism tools — e-mail, letter and phone campaigns, volunteer work and election organizing — our members altered
the social and political landscape. Now, with new leaders in office and a spirit of hope everywhere, we look forward to more significant changes in years ahead. But first,
let’s take a look back at all we accomplished in 2008.
America votes for change.
CREDO played a large part in the landmark November election. We developed the best software available for online registration and helped more than 2.5 million Americans register to vote. We helped recruit 10,000 volunteer pollworkers to ensure a free, fair election. We built govote.org to inform people when, where and how to vote. To encourage our members to get out the vote, we made calls free on Election Day. On the campaign front, we helped defeat initiatives in California, Colorado and South Dakota that would have severely restricted a woman's right to choose. We worked hard against the same-sex marriage ban in California and, though the measure passed, we now have a petition online to repeal the ban. In several states we supported laws to allow Election Day registration, a proven means of boosting voter turnout.
Court restores habeas.
Habeas corpus is a fundamental right in any democracy. When President Bush weakened the law, we took action. The Supreme Court responded, rejecting Bush and restoring habeas corpus.
DOJ checks vote-suppression effort.
When political forces mounted a legal drive to challenge thousands of voters in Ohio, CREDO members applied pressure to the Department of Justice, asking the DOJ to rebuff the attempt. It did, giving many Ohioans their rightful chance to vote.
Von Spakovsky blocked.
To ensure a fair vote in 2008, we targeted Bush nominee to the Federal Elections Commission Hans von Spakovsky, architect of many past voter-suppression campaigns. He felt the heat and removed his name from consideration.
Earth gains ally in the House.
We urged U.S. representatives to name Rep. Henry Waxman, a strong voice against global warming, as leader of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. They did, putting him in charge of vital energy and climate decisions.
Coal takes its lumps.
CREDO members asked governors, legislators and utility executives around the U.S. to stop construction of new coal-fired power plants. Since 2007, CREDO members have helped halt 47 polluting coal plants. We also pressured Bank of America to cease financing for companies that mine coal by removing entire mountaintops. BofA listened and announced it will phase out such funding.
Congress empowers clean energy.
With tax breaks for clean power set to expire in 2008, CREDO members urged Congress for an extension. Congress listened and voted to renew this vital tax credit.
Skyscrapers raise safety bar.
When the International Code Council took up new rules for better fireproofing and more emergency stairwells, the Bush administration listened to the developer lobby and opposed the rules. But the ICC listened to our members and approved the new standards.
Insurers to cover mental illness.
Insurers have routinely refused to cover treatment of mental disorders. We took action against this bias and Congress passed a law requiring coverage for mental disorders.
California clears air.
Thanks to members' calls and letters, new rules were implemented for cleaner diesel vehicles and to curb politicians' use of campaign funds to pay personal expenses. We also successfully blocked a new toll road through pristine San Onofre State Beach and got Gov. Schwarzenegger to approve smart-growth measures to cut car use in new developments.
New York protects environment.
CREDO members said no to the monstrous Broadwater LNG terminal slated for Long Island Sound and Gov. Paterson scrapped the project. Paterson also signed legislation to clean up polluted "brownfields" in the city and shield borrowers from shady subprime-loan offers.
Massachusetts enacts fair taxes, fair skies.
Action by CREDO members helped pass new laws to close corporate tax loopholes and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2050.
Washington lightens up.
CREDO members brought big change to Washington in 2008. Thanks to you, the state passed a law granting new rights to same-sex couples. Lawmakers also acted to protect kids by limiting dangerous toxics in toys. We also made the state cleaner: members helped pass the Local Solutions for Global Warming and urged Congress to establish the Wild Sky Wilderness.