[Editors] Fwd: Defend Science from Fiscal Cliff Cuts: Sign the New Stand with Science Letter Now

[Elizabeth A Thomson]

FYI, Stand with Science started here at MIT. See <http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2012/graduate-student-funding-petition-0326.html>.

Might be worthy of a tweet from our respective areas/departments. Perhaps something like the following?

IMPORTANT: Sign letter to Congress supporting federal funding of research ow.ly/fRfhZ<http://t.co/pe2r9SFk>@StandWithSci<http://hootsuite.com/dashboard#> #fiscalcliff<http://hootsuite.com/dashboard#>

Cheers,

Elizabeth
=========================
Elizabeth A. Thomson
Associate Director of Communications
MIT Resource Development
Office of Communications
600 Memorial Dr., W98-300
617-258-5563, 857-756-9457
<thomson at mit.edu<mailto:thomson at mit.edu>>, giving.mit.edu<http://giving.mit.edu>
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Begin forwarded message:

From: Mike Henninger <mikehenninger at gmail.com<mailto:mikehenninger at gmail.com>>
Subject: Defend Science from Fiscal Cliff Cuts: Sign the New Stand with Science Letter Now
Date: December 5, 2012 12:04:07 PM EST
To: <swsbroadcast at mit.edu<mailto:swsbroadcast at mit.edu>>


            Dear Science Supporters,

          We’ve reached the eleventh hour. The sequestration budget cuts will take effect on January 2, 2013. These cuts will chop federal research funding by 8.2%<http://cdn.govexec.com/media/gbc/docs/pdfs_edit/091412cc1.pdf> for ten years. Additionally, several tax cuts expire around the same time. Both political parties widely believe this combination of spending cuts and tax increases—known as the fiscal cliff<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_fiscal_cliff>—will result in another recession. With the election over, Congress is likely to take action to avoid this fiscal cliff before the New Year. We must speak up for science in this process: Convincing congress to protect our nation’s investment in research is critical.


Sign the new letter to Congress, and share it with friends and colleagues.<http://standwithscience.org/theletter/>


          We are once again asking for your participation on all fronts. We are circulating a new, updated Stand with Science petition in support of science funding<http://standwithscience.org/theletter/>. We urge you to share it with your friends, colleagues, classmates, and family and to encourage them to sign.  Call or email your congressional offices today. The staffers will be very friendly and will take note of what you say—and your elected officials really do hear about it before they cast their votes.


Contact your Representative<http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/> and Senators<http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm>. See our website for easy tips<http://standwithscience.org/tell_congress/>.


         Budget battles occur in DC every year, but this one may decide our nation’s place in the scientific endeavor for our generation. We must explain how federal research dollars not only fund advances, but also train America’s experts as they get their degrees. These graduates go on to contribute in all sectors of our economy. Research funding is an investment in human capital with an incredible return. Strong research funding is part of the long-term solution to our deficit crisis.


Like us on facebook<https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stand-With-Science/301625179865724> and hit SWS up on twitter.<https://twitter.com/StandWithSci>


          I know speaking out is daunting. I know it personally. I’m just an introverted grad student who wishes he was working on his thesis. I’m no organizer who daydreams about shaping the political process. I don’t write emails to six thousand people because I like attention. I do it because I want to know I did everything I could rather than to regret I didn’t do more. I do it because I see what’s at stake. If you’re receiving this letter I know you do, too. Act.

          Sincerely,
          Mike and the Stand with Science Team



PS- Stand with Science looking for people to join our leadership team! We could use your help doing anything from web programming to organizing meetings with members of Congress. Email us atstandwithscience at mit.edu<mailto:standwithscience at mit.edu>

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