Good news for people who want to do good: Week 54

Welcome to your weekly roundup of good news about good people, how you can help make a difference — and a picture of President Obama because you’ve earned it.

Wow! More than 500 women are running for major office in 2018

The numbers just keep climbing: Across the nation, more than 500 women are running for congressional seats or state governorships in 2018.

As of last week, 325 women were non-incumbent candidates for the United States House, along with 72 female members seeking reelection, according to data compiled by [the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University]. Thirty-eight women not currently serving in the United States Senate are aiming for the upper chamber, along with 12 incumbents running again. And 75 women have set their sights on the nation’s governorships — plus four female incumbents fighting to keep their seats.

By comparison, 2016 was a high-water mark for women candidates, and there were less than half as many candidates as there are so far in 2018.

The current political climate may be an intimidating one for women — but it’s also energizing for that exact reason.

“There is this general call that women would be able to legislate in a way that was more honest and trustworthy because they are political outsiders,” noted Jennifer Lawless of the Women and Politics Institute at American University.

People of color are also getting off the political sidelines in record numbers

The changes to the political landscape are not only happening from the perspective of gender, but racial identity as well.

Men and women of color are “part of a powerful groundswell of young, largely progressive candidates … entering politics for the first time in forceful opposition to Trump.”

Faced with an administration led by a man who embodies white privilege and bigoted thinking, nonwhite candidates are determined to push back against the dangerous policies and hateful ideology emanating from the White House and the GOP-controlled Congress.

Black Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans are ready to run all over the country. In one example of the massive numbers, out of the 15,000 potential candidates recruited by the national Democratic training organization Run For Something, one-third identify as persons of color.

In particular, Trump’s callous words about Mexicans and his obsession with a southern border wall have drawn Latino candidates out in droves.

“The silver lining for us this year,” said Mayra Macias, political director for Latino Victory Project, “is we’re seeing that Donald Trump may be the greatest Latino political organizer in history.”

ACTION ALERT: We Are All America!

We Are All America seeks to uphold the country’s commitment to welcoming newcomers to our shores, and providing safety and freedom for all who seek refuge here.

The organization’s National Week of Action to recommit to solidarity and support for immigrants and refugees is still in effect, so find or register an event near you and make your voice heard!

Indivisible Colusa took a little road trip to send a message to a California Republican

Indivisible Colusa showed some neighborly spirit recently when they hit the road heading north to Chico, California, and added their voices to the call to flip the state’s 1st Congressional District:

Some of our members took a beautiful drive to Chico today to support our neighbors’ stand against Rep. Doug LaMalfa. #ReplaceLaMalfa #FlipCA1 @IndivisibleTeam pic.twitter.com/5KW87LEZHs

— Indivisible Colusa (@Indivisible_Col) January 27, 2018

According to FiveThirtyEight, Rep. Doug LaMalfa has a 98.4 percent “Trump score.” So it’s no wonder this very blue state is eager to show him the door.

Must-see ad from an oncologist and Texas Democrat running for Congress

Dr. Jason Westin is an award-winning oncologist and cancer researcher. He’s also a Democrat in the still-red state of Texas.

And he’s got a campaign video that is an absolute must-see.

President Trump and the rubber stamp GOP are denying scientific facts to push their agenda of fake news. Laws should be made based on facts, not partisan fictions. Watch and share our video if you agree. pic.twitter.com/0bFjDe1qAg

— Jason Westin, MD (@DrWestinForTX07) January 2, 2018

Remember, “don’t mess with Texas” applies to all Texans — especially those who are ready to stand up to Trump.

California Senate rebukes Trump’s FCC, passes net neutrality law

Under Trump, the Federal Communications Commission has upended the crucial net neutrality regulations which help to ensure free debate and open access to the internet for everyone.

But California is fighting back.

The California State Senate approved a bill that would place its own net neutrality protections on internet service providers, in a direct challenge to the FCC.

The bill passed 21-12, with all votes in favor coming from Democrats. It now heads to the State Assembly, where Democrats also hold a massive majority of 53-25 over Republicans.

Alongside lawsuits from multiple states, this move by the California Senate ought to make it crystal clear to the Trump administration that attacking access to the internet will be met with consistent fire.

ACTION ALERT: Mueller firing rapid response

Trump has made it abundantly clear that he is willing to do anything to protect himself from the Russia investigation, and firing special counsel Robert Mueller may very well be on his mind — just like it was last June.

MoveOn has everything you need to know about the rapid response that must occur if Trump actually goes ahead with his seeming goal to plunge the nation into an all-out constitutional crisis.

Your escape back to the Obama years is now in theaters

Remember when we had a competent, intelligent, good-hearted president?

Unfortunately, time travel has yet to be invented, but you can get as close to it as possible by simply heading to your local movie theater or tuning in to On Demand.

“The Final Year” is a unique look at the inner workings of the Obama administration during President Barack Obama’s last year in office.

Watch the trailer, catch the movie, and reminisce — then, as the man always said, get fired up and ready to go!

.@FinalYearFilm trailer: a look at the inner workings of the Obama Administration as they prepare to leave power after 8 years #TheFinalYear pic.twitter.com/8RmgBOKv28

— The Final Year (@FinalYearFilm) November 21, 2017