California Voters Souring on Democratic Congress, Field Poll Finds
California voters, disappointed that Congress has been unable to change policy in Iraq, are now giving federal lawmakers their lowest approval rating of the past decade, according to a Field Poll released today.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also is taking it on the chin. Her popularity with state voters has tumbled as Democrats and independents grow impatient with her party’s inability to force the White House to start to bring home U.S. troops, the poll showed.
Just 20 percent of California voters approve of Congress’ performance, while 66 percent disapprove. That’s worse than the 23 percent approval rating state voters gave the Republican-led Congress in May 2006 before the GOP lost its decadelong control in the November elections. It’s the lowest rating for Congress since the Field Poll started asking the question in 1996.
“It’s a historic low, and I think the main driver has to do with disappointment with the war,” said Mark DiCamillo, who directs the poll. “The reason Congress changed hands in the last election was to try to send a signal to change the administration’s policy in Iraq. To this point, the Congress has not been at all effective in that regard.”
In March, two months after Democrats took power, voters appeared more optimistic: Thirty-five percent of state voters approved of Congress’ performance, while an even stronger 47 percent backed the job Democratic lawmakers were doing.
That support has evaporated quickly: Now, only 33 percent of voters support the job Democrats in Congress are doing, while 54 percent disapprove.
The only consolation for Democratic lawmakers is that they aren’t quite as loathed as their GOP counterparts. Only 19 percent of California voters approve of the performance of the Republican minority in Congress, while 69 percent disapprove.
Pelosi, who took office in January with great fanfare and a pledge to start bringing U.S. troops home, has seen her personal approval rating fall from a high of 48 percent in the March poll to 39 percent in the new poll.
It is mostly Democrats and independents who have grown sour. In March, 64 percent of Democrats and 55 percent of independents supported Pelosi; now just 56 percent of Democrats and 36 percent of independents back her. (GOP support for Pelosi fell slightly, from 24 to 19 percent.)
“It’s primarily a fallout among Democrats and nonpartisans,” DiCamillo said. “They are looking for some concrete results, and they haven’t seen any changes in policy.”
Pelosi insists Democrats have tried to force the White House’s hand, but have been stymied by Bush’s veto pen, opposition from most Republicans and the thin Democratic majorities, especially in the Senate, which make it tough even to start a debate over a timeline for withdrawal.
“People are very frustrated, and we share their frustration at the inability to end the war,” Brendan Daly, Pelosi’s communications director, said Thursday. “Republicans have stubbornly stuck by the president’s failed stay-the-course strategy, although some of them have started to break from that message.”
Daly pointed to Virginia Republican Sen. John Warner, a former chairman of the Armed Services Committee and Navy secretary, who urged Bush on Thursday to announce a small withdrawal of troops to signal to Iraqis that U.S. forces won’t be there forever.
Warner became the most recent of a handful of Republican senators who have urged a troop pullout. The White House reacted coolly to Warner’s statements, saying a withdrawal discussion is “inappropriate.”
In a recent Field poll, 58 percent of voters said they want Congress to pass legislation requiring Bush to start pulling American troops out of Iraq this spring. But Bush has pledged to veto any timelines, and Democrats don’t have the votes to override his veto.
Anti-war activists want Democrats to refuse to pass any spending bills that continue to pay for the war effort. Democrats are split over the idea, with many fearing the consequences in Iraq and political fallout of cutting off money while troops are still fighting.
The Field Poll’s results mirror the findings of national polls showing declining support for the Democratic Congress. This week, a Gallup poll found Congress’ ratings the lowest since the group started asking the question in 1974 - 18 percent approval, 76 percent disapproval. It tied a low reached in 1992, when Congress was embroiled in a check-bouncing scandal that led many states to pass term-limit laws.
The Field Poll found a bright spot for California’s two Democratic senators. While the approval ratings for Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer dipped slightly, they continue to receive better marks than the rest of Congress or the president.
Feinstein, who has long been among the most popular California elected officials, saw her job approval fall from 61 percent in March to 56 percent in the current poll. Boxer’s support slipped from 54 to 48 percent.
DiCamillo said both senators saw their ratings spike when Democrats took power, as many state voters were excited about the possibilities of a new Congress.
“The ratings have settled back to where they historically were - which for them is not bad,” he said.
The poll of 536 registered voters, conducted Aug. 3-12, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.
FIELD POLL: APPROVAL RATINGS FOR CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS
March 48%
August 39%
March 54%
August 48%
March 61%
August 56%
E-mail Zachary Coile at zcoile@sfchronicle.com.
© 2007 The San Francisco Chronicle
yada, yada , yada
it’s simple -
Dems did not:
1. impeach OR
2. restore or defend civil liberties OR
3. pass legislation to remove troops from Iraq
These are the main reasons - not yada, yada, yada
Sounds as if someone wants a King, or maybe just a “Leader” to show us the way. Bullshit, what we need is representation. We don’t need people who know whats best for us and the rest of the world. We need no grand plan. We need no hero’s other than ourselves. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. Elect your neighbors, not your employers or lawyers. REPRESENTATION
The Democratic Party is un-reformable because it has become totally corrupted by coporate money. With that corporate money comes acceptance of the corporate and capitalist agenda and interests. These are essentially that same interests that control the Republican agenda.
The tens of millions of dollars received by Obama and Clinton dictates their views on the continuing the Iraq war and on maintining for-profit privatized health insurance.
The time ripe for a new political party!
DUMP THE DEMOCRATS!
UNITE INTO A NEW PARTY NOW!
We the people, opposed to the destruction of the planet and it’s peoples, now atomized and powerless in “grass roots” and “special interest” groups, must unite our efforts and resources into a new party to replace the corrupt Democratic Party! A new party that rejects corporate funding in order to end the corporate plunder of the federal government.
A new party explicitly opposed to the Project for the New American Century. Opposed to unending war for profit and power. Cut the military budget by 50%, shut down the 700 military bases around the world. Re-instate taxes cut by Bush gang.
A new party that commits the entire resources of the country to end global warming, end imperialist wars, implements true non-profit universal health care. promotes mass transportation, develops renewable energy, and produces the essentials for human survival.
A new party that promotes an economy that works towards fulfilling the economic needs of all the people, not just to profit a tiny minority of super wealthy. No more people living on the streets! No more hospitalized people being dumped into the streets when they have no money or health insurance! (See the film SICKO)
A new party to unite all of the oppressed people of this country. A new party that cuts across all the false social and cultural divisions that keep us forever powerless (racial, ethnic, age, language, etc.). A new party to unite us against the unending destruction of peoples and planet.
A SOCIALIST PARTY to promote the end of gangster capitalism, run-amok capitalism, which is supported by both Democratic and Republican parties.
A new party to support the labor movement and all working people. We urge the labor movement to stop supporting the Democratic Party (already besotted by corporate money), and to focus its precious resources to fund a new national radio and television network. By being on the air 24 hours a day the labor movement can provide the latest news, information, education and current affairs analysis desperately needed by all working people. This effort, combined with the formation of the new party, will be a bold step towards reviving the organized labor movement.
For years we have listened to radio programs like DEMOCRACY NOW! that has discussed with numerous “grass roots” groups desperately struggling to make a positive change in society. Anti-war protest groups, civil rights groups, union struggles, affordable housing groups, teachers unions, health care access, seniors about Social Security, have involved millions of people. Now is the time to unite the energy and resources of the people into a new party.
The new party provides a means of uniting the “special interest” agendas of each group into the platform of the new party. The new party candidates, selected from the various individuals and groups, would become the candidates representing their cause and the new party. The new party will contest for office at every level of government in order to take power. The new party will provide the new leadership and new programs this country desperately needs.
There is still time before November 2008 elections to start this process. Even the announcement and preparation for a founding convention of such a new party will shock both Democrats and Republican incumbents. They will know that their days are numbered!
The needs of all previous “minority” and “special interests” people now become the platform of the new party representing the vast majority of people. Can the existing activists of so-called “minority” and “special interest” groups overcome their existing powerlessness, and link up with each other to start this new party?
This all-inclusive struggle will attract millions of atomized working people, often non-voters and uninvolved people, who have been atomized, exploited, brain-washed by corporate media and ultimately destroyed by gangster capitalism.
The Democrats were elected on their promise of change, of action. Since they have not produced, they do not warrant further support. Mr. Wells is correct. We need an alternative, and come 2008, we will have it.
Until the US populace gets the courage to take to the streets and follow the example of Gandhi’s non-violent marches and demonstrations nothing will change. The people have got to WANT the Constitution restored enough to ACT accordingly. If there is no such desire, there will will be no more US Constitution (except in name only).
What a shame to let cowardice bring down such a noble experiment of human governance!!
jasonJones–
What you say makes sense, but I think there is an easy way to work around it. We need entirely new people to replace all the ones we have now. The Democrats are terrible, the Republicans are worse. This is why I like the idea of a Parliament where it’s much more feasible to have several different parties, giving a true representation of the people (I still hold that there should be a limit to how many people of one party can be in our legislature). But we can keep the “official” corporatist parties from forming by simply not re-electing the same politicians. Get rid of every single one of them and get fresh faces in there. From fresh parties.
Jeremy Wells-
I agree 100%. As a strong socialist, I agree the socialist parties should rise to power. You say we need to have a socialist party; there are several. The Socialist Workers Party USA, the Socialist Party USA, the Democratic Socialist Party, the Communist Party USA (though I wouldn’t go with CPUSA, they officially support the Democratic Party). Their socialist views range from Marxism/Leninism to Trotskyism. The Greens even have several things in common with these socialist parties, except the Greens are too focused on states’ rights and decentralization, something I’ve never been a fan of.
As a response to the article in general, I’d just like to say it’s been a long time coming. The Democrats started the American Civil War. The Democrats were strong imperialists in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Democrats dragged us into World War I. That party should have died down 100 years ago.
You might find this link of interest as to why there has been no positive change in the Washington cesspool.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/opedne_stephen__070811_whatever_happened_to.htm
It may well be that whoever takes power in 2008, assuming we are not under martial law forever by that time, wants to have the legal precedents in place so they can inherit Cheney/Bush’s usurped powers, intact and functioning for their own purposes.
Actually, our political system will only change after mainstream America changes its values.
Unfortunately for America, the things we value currently (money, entertainment, power) are all supported by our current economic system. A vicious circle.
And issues like fairness, justice, and human rights for all are not valued at all.
so it goes
www.NotOneMore.US
libertas, GREAT link! It exactly expresses my opinion. We must vote for individuals who will represent us with no consideration to party affiliation. And bear in mind that we need to know their history, because candidates lie. But their history doesn’t.
Thomas Jefferson said, “The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first.”
Maybe someone should send the above quote to Nancy Pelosi. Although I don’t think it would make a difference. She has her own criminal agenda. Perhaps what we should do is publicize this quote for Americans so they know what this country was meant to be. Not what it has become.
Thomas Jefferson also said, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.”
He may be right. Bad times may be coming. The criminals who have stolen our country aren’t going to peacefully give it back. Blackwater.
Not One More, I don’t agree with you, I think Americans are demoralized, exhausted and depressed. They are feeling powerless.
No need for our current system, cliche as it sounds, we have the technology to set us free.
No need for King like centralized authority and corruption. Each week, all who choose to participate in the running of our country can contribute a Warhol-like 15 minutes from the comfort and convenience of their own homes.
Mythical, of course, but improvements can be had if we leverage our collective talents through technology instead of having some incompetent bastards call the shots, control the information and create untold misery in the process. Party cheer leading is best reserved for sporting events.
Thank you for this article but before we all dump the democrats lets review what may be taking place.
1) The MSM always attacks the democratic party for the smallest of peccadilloes while the republicans are constantly given free passes for murders, bribes, obstructing justice and any and all crimes against humanity.
2) All the repukes are voting twice that this congress is no good because they want to regain control in 2008.
3) The democrats really do not even control the senate it is 49-49 with 2 independents one being Lieberman (who is really a repuke). They have a very small margin in the house. So they really do not have that much power.
4) The new democrats that won in 2006 won by running very conservative democrats or they would not have won the election.
5) Change in politics takes place painfully slowly. Additionally the MSM coupled with the jibber-jabber on talk radio and fox news are constantly misstating and obstructing any changes the democrats are trying to make.
6) Frankly I think they have done a very fine job under the circumstances, can you even imagine all the criminal activities that they are trying to sort out in the six year the repukes had control. It must be totally overwhelming. Additionally the bush repukes gave themselves more vacations, more raises and simply rubberstamped the bush administrations policies.
So do not be sucked into the MSM criticism of this congress at least not yet. I agree we need to pressure them to be more active in bringing the criminals to justice and we need to make our social and political platforms loudly known. Perhaps some should be replaced. However, we should be spending most of our time making sure none of the repukes ever get elected again and investigate and prosecute their criminal activites.
Finally, I have noticed since the democrats gained this small toehold on congress a lot more people speaking out against the most corrupt aberration of democracy that has ever transpired (the bush administration) and that is a good thing.
Impeach the Vichy Democrats.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lacks the courage to do right.
Why cannot our representatives and their staff understand that voters want them to pass a bill telling Bush to end the war? If he vetoes it, and Congress can’t override the veto - - so be it. At least the Democratic majority would be on record, and the blame would lie squarely on Bush and his Republican lackeys. Same for impeachment of Bush, Cheney, and Gonzales. Democrats must at least try, instead of saying “it’s not on the table.” And same for giving Bush increased surveillance powers. Aren’t Democrats in Congress aware that the vast majority of Democratic and independent voters feel that Bush can’t be trusted with secret surveillance?
Of course we are all terribly frustrated, because the Dem leadership won’t commit themselves with legislation on the war and on impeachment, and we are disgusted by the cave-in on surveillance powers. We don’t expect miracles; we expect courage and commitment.
Push polling and biased reporting? Look at the questions asked:
Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is doing its job?
What about the Democrats in Congress? Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congressional Democrats are
doing their job?
What about the Republicans in Congress? Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congressional Republicans are
doing their job?
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Nancy Pelosi is handling her job as Speaker of the U.S. House of
Representatives?
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barbara Boxer is handling her job as U.S. Senator?
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Dianne Feinstein is handling her job as U.S. Senator?
(note the failure to report the Republican results: August 2007 19% approve 69% disapprove, 12% no opinion)
Why no questions about impeachment proceedings against Bush, or about the continued US military presence in Iraq, or about the incredible levels of corruption seen in the government contracting process? Why no questions about individual Republicans, Dick Cheney, or GW Bush?
This is why noone should trust these polling companies.
This Democratic Congress has caved in to the White House over and over again. Passing Bush’s expanded FISA was a gross and bitter betrayal of grassroots Democrats, refusing to consider impeachment when THIS president has lied to Congress a jillion more times than Clinton ever did is completely unacceptable now, and pulling our troops from Iraq was a promise made and a promise broken. How on earth do they expect support when they refuse to listen to or honor the wishes of their constituents? They had a golden opportunity handed to them, and they have signally blown it. I have lost faith, as have many, and am bitterly disappointed in this Congress.
The 3 pictures at the top are stiking reminicent of a famous trio from MacBeth..I guess that would leave hillary to play Hecate
“Have I not reason, beldams as you are,
Saucy and overbold? How did you dare
To trade and traffic with MacBush
In riddles and affairs of death;
And I, the mistress of your charms,
The close contriver of all harms,
Was never call’d to bear my part,
Or show the glory of our art?
And, which is worse, all you have done
Hath been but for a wayward son,
Spiteful and wrathful; who, as others do,
Loves for his own ends, not for you.
But make amends now: get you gone,
And at the pit of Acheron
Meet me i’ the morning: thither he
Will come to know his destiny.
Your vessels and your spells provide,
Your charms, and everything beside.
I am for the air; this night I’ll spend
Unto a dismal and a fatal end.
Great business must be wrought ere noon:
Upon the corner of the moon
There hangs a vaporous drop profound;
I’ll catch it ere it come to ground:
And that, distill’d by magic sleights,
Shall raise such artificial sprites,
As, by the strength of their illusion,
Shall draw him on to his confusion:
He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear
His hopes ‘bove wisdom, grace, and fear:
And you all know, security
Is mortals’ chiefest enemy.”
Voters can and must vote these paid for cowards out. We have the last word if we vote for anyone that runs against them. We need whats good for the country not what is good for the party. Ellect HEROS now.!!
They were elected to oppose Bush and they didn’t. Throw the Republicrats out.
There is an elephant in the room, and it ain’t a Republican or just the occupation of Iraq. Its the Constitution in chains, lying on the floor in its death throws. There is a monster at the door called the Unitary Executive that no one in Congress seems obliged to confine to the rule of law. It is an out of control animal in the DOJ that does not protect the Bill of Rights, and the Congress does NOTHING!
Congress has refused to use any of the tools in their Constitutional arsenal to represent and protect the people or the democracy of this country.
Now, lets take a look at this TOTALLY biased poll. Let’s consider the fact the majority of the electorate is ill informed by the MSN and doesn’t have a clue that America is becoming (is?) a faschist state under the watch of this Congress. Maybe they don’t even know that Pelosi let the “fix” in the FISA law come to the floor for a vote and that Diane Feinstein voted FOR it. How many of these ninnies that took this poll even know the significance of it?
So, there you have it! If the poll takers were the least bit educated, the approval ratings of Congress and its members would be less than zero.
P.S. Freedon Loving American: I appreciate your sentiments, but you are totally wrong in my opinion. There is no difference between the Repugs and the Dimms! The vote on Fisa and giving free reign to this administration and Gonzales to spy on Americans was the last straw for me. You cannot vote a party. You can only vote for individuals who have a record of genuinely representing their constituents and want to take back our country from the corporate aristocracy. Until impeachment is back on the table, my vote for the Dimms won’t be there either.
PPS Vote for Kucinich in the primaries. Give him some bucks too. He is the only presidential candidate that has EARNED your vote.
CanuckChuck, I think I love you!
I read that Democrats are afraid to take charge for fear they will be blamed for all that has gone wrong. By starting out with impeaching those who are guilty of crimes and incompetence they could send a strong message that we, as representatives of the people, are here to put our foot down, put a stop to tyranny and do what is necessary to get this nation back on the right path.
When are people going to realize that almost all of our federal level politicians are sell outs and it is impossible to vote for any real change. Lobbyists and corporate money/interests rule, that’s it, end of story. The evidence of it is played out every day, every year, for decades.
Drop out of “the system”. I sent a letter to the IRS telling them I won’t pay my taxes because I have a moral conflict with the gov.’s wars. They left me alone and never sent me another letter. You don’t have to pay your taxes, your credit card bills, or any other bills, except rent , even that you can get around if you want to squat somewhere or live out of a van.
Buy everything from thrift stores. Steal whenever you can get away with it. Bankrupt the system. Steal from the rich and throw the money in the garbage or feed it to animals, whatever, just don’t feed the system, destroy it.
Then we can start over and do it right. Make a true democracy with no money influence, ban all contributions to politicians, and ban lobbyists.
Bush is but a walking shadow; a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Rebel Farmer..I sure hope you’re female !
Colie misses the point big time! Pelosi took impeachment off the table. Therein lies all of her and democrats’ problems. Bush can’t veto impeachment and when the crimes of this administration are revealed, there will be enough citizens and Senators, including Republicans who will see the writing on the wall. Impeachment will snowball guaranteed. Congress is afraid because after impeaching the president and vice president they will have to impeach themselves for the extreme complicity and failure to perform their sworn duties.
That impeachment will disrupt the country is malarky- the country can’t be much more ineffective than it already is. It will only improve the situation because everyone will start to be held accountable.
Taking impeachment off the table is Nancy Pelosi’s crime for which she deserves to be removed from Congress!
Its pretty obvious
The Dems overwhelmingly voted for the war
They continue to vote to fund the war
they seem to lean toward invading Iran next
Obamma even wants to invade Pakistan
They voted for the warrantless wiretapping of Americans.
They havent made a peep about the death of Habeus Corpus, the mysterious Gulags springing up around the country, the abitrary detention of amercians without charges or appeal.
They only seem concerend about The CIA’s rendition is that they wern’t told about it.
Obviously they hope to inherit this new US Fascist state, and anything else they say is mere political theater for the masses.
Canuck: Yes I’m female, but that isn’t really the point. I really appreciate your humor and the depth of your contributions to the various threads I’ve seen you on.
Thanks. And just keep keepin’ on.
Calling them democrats is as ridiculous as calling the Bushites ‘compassionate conservatives’. Truth is they’re a bunch of lying, bush hugging hippocrats.
My pleasure Rebel,
I have a morbid fastination with American politics and culture, much the same as I have for watching train wrecks and the “Hilter” channel.
Like we say here, when America farts, Canada gets the stench, without the associated pressure relief.
Where’s Erma and Evelyn?
I miss them.
BTW, if you’d like to get involved in a great fantasy this evening, just sink your teeth into this lawsuit that was filed by one of the 9/11 widows against Bush and Co.
We need another gavel to gavel O.J./Iran-Contra/Watergate fiasco. Now THAT would keep the American people from shopping and going to work! Keep them glued to the trial of the MELLINIUM!! This way the American People would come up to speed on 9/11 and lots more and with a jury trial I’ll bet we’d end up with GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS!!
Here’s the link:
http://www.911timeline.net/marianivsbush.htm
We can all dream….can’t we???
Also, Bill Maher comes back to HBO tonight at 11pm with Tim Robbins. Should be a great show.
You don’t make money for rich people if there is PEACE
Abbeywood: Where do you find this stuff? Was this actually filed in 2003?
I don’t get cable. Is Bill going to be on the internet somewhere. By the way DK is on tonight:
http://www.c-span.org/watch/index.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS
8/24 KUCINICH C-SPAN 2 FRIDAY 9PM EASTERN TIME (probably 6 PM Pacific?)
It would be interesting to see how a Sheehan candidacy is polling.
I also think the idea of ex-Democrat Cynthia McKinney running for president as an independent peace and justice candddidate, or the nominee of the Green Party.
Cynthia McKinney for President 2008
Our problems would soon be put on the road to successful resolution if we could convince Russ Feingold to run for President.
Our Congress is a stinking mess of graft and fear, but Russ is not afraid to strike terror into their hearts and bring them back to the fold no matter how sheepishly they come.
Here’s my candidate for Prez next year
Thursday 30 August 2007 7:00 p.m. Official kickoff of Khalil Bendib’s
2008 Presidential Campaign - First Muslim American Ever to Run for
President - Muslim-American cartoonist throws his Fez into the Ring.
Khalil Bendib will give a short speech followed by a Powerpoint
presentation, Q and A and book signing.
Khalil Bendib is running as an independent candidate - not affiliated
with any political party.
In a year when America may see - for the first time - either a woman
president or a Black Leader of the Free World, what are the odds for a
first-ever Muslim Commander-in-Chief?
After carefully testing the waters for months, the newly declared
candidate (who, as an homage to the late Dr. Seuss, calls himself “the
Prez in the Fez”,) today started pounding the pavement, mindful to not
appear too stereotypically violent or too anti-pavement.
According to anonymous but reliable sources, turning swords into
ploughshares will be at the heart of the candidate’s foreign policy.
“Box cutters, machetes, Ginsu knives, we’ll turn any sharp cutting
implements into organic- food cultivating instruments” declared the
so-called Prez-in-the-Fez, whose campaign slogan is “The Pen is
Funnier than the Sword”.
According to Mr. Bendib, “Mirth Makes Right - not Might” and
“Disarming the enemy through the power of laughter and good cheer” is
the best defense. “Ours will be the funniest, most hilarious
administration in American history,” asserts the candidate, with a
straight face, no joke!
Some skeptics, however, claim that having turned the United States of
America into the world’s laughingstock over the past seven years, the
current administration may be a tough act to follow, comedically
speaking.
How does Khalil Bendib propose to outdo the clowns currently occupying
the White House? The key, according to candidate Bendib, will be to
“Make the rest of the world laugh with us, rather than laugh at us, as
has been the case for the past decade or so.”
But beyond these facile generalities, critics are asking Bendib “Where
is the beef?” and - more importantly - “is it Halal (Kosher for Muslims)?”
What follows are a few planks from the candidate’s presidential platform:
- On Government waste and Pork barrel spending : As a self-respecting
Muslim, you can guess how I feel about PORK: I’m not exactly wild
about it!…
- On Free Trade: The “Prez in the Fez” favors the free flow of Danish
goods into America - except for Islamophobic cartoons, of course…
- On Education: “Pens not guns, books not bombs, Math Instruction not
Mass Destruction.”
- On the Patriot Act: “Once elected, I will act like a patriot — and
repeal the Patriot Act!”
- On the Use of Torture: In the candidate’s own words, … If you
absolutely HAVE to obtain information?..Tickle, don’t Torture! Amuse,
don’t abuse! Be clever and cute, don’t electrocute!
- On Nuclear proliferation: Islam is a religion of Peace and America
is a Peace-loving nation. Instead of bombing Iran, we will shame the
Islamic Republic into voluntarily abandoning its nuclear ambitions.
How? We’ll lead by example and demand the dismantlement of all nuclear
weapons everywhere, starting with the world’s largest arsenal - our
own - putting back the “non” into”non-proliferation.”
Finally, on Guantanamo Bay: The candidate says: Render unto Fidel what
belongs to Fidel, have the Cubans tear down the torture center and
put in something more positive there - like a dental school or something!
Concludes Bendib, “Sadly, Islamophobia runs deep in America today and
it has been cultivated as an excuse for preventive wars, domestic
spying, torture, the suspension of Habeas Corpus and the erasure of so
many of our most treasured constitutional freedoms. What better way to
bring back our precious liberties and to rid us once and for all of
the exaggerated fear of Islam than to elect America’s first Muslim
president?
In 1960, President Kennedy did not bring the Vatican into the white
House, as initially feared, and in 2008 the Prez in the Fez will not
bring Mecca into the Oval Office!” To paraphrase another great
president before him, the Muslim candidate concludes: “The only thing
we have to fear is the fear of Islamophobia itself! God Bless America
and Peace be Upon you!”
—————————————————————————-
Khalil Bendib is the author of the new book of political cartoons,
“Mission Accomplished.” He can be reached at
Khalil Bendib is a Berkeley, CA-based award-winning cartoonist
published in numerous small and mid-sized newspapers across the USA,
as well as in The Black Commentator and various other online publications.
Born in North Africa under a colonialist French regime, Khalil brings
a fresh, non-Eurocentric perspective and a unique voice not usually
found in our large, corporate media, which have studiously censored,
avoided and blacked it out.
His hard-hitting, myth-shattering, platitude-mocking cartoons rarely
shy away from the truth, as they seek to expose the crude racial
stereotypes, “diss-information” and info-tainment pabulum offered as
gospel by our mass media.
In the proud tradition of genuine watchdog journalism, Khalil Bendib’s
work aims to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable - and
to give a voice to the voiceless.
Just as Nader has been saying for how many years now.
I agree with Curmudgeon99. A THIRD PARTY IS TOTALLY HOPELESS AND WILL JUST ELECT REPUBLICANS. The thing that is needed and that will shake up the Democrats (and some Repubs) in the Congress is one million people in the streets of DC with many of them staying there camped out until we get action. All of the organizations that put forth progressive stuff via the web represent a huge splintering of the forces. They need all to get together, and with 6 months notice issue a date for all people who demand change to show up in Washington and not leave until there is some satisfaction. As corrupt as the Democrats are, they cannot resist that kind of demonstration of people power.
Rebel Farmer:
I was actually on Drudge and went to an interview with Mark Cuban. There happened to be a place to post comments so I made a crack about Mark Cuban financing the new “Loose Change: Final Cut” to the tune of $20 million etc.
Then some jerk commented that I was a left wing wacko conspiracy nut. So I wrote back with the best evidence I could come up with for him/her. One of the websites I mentioned to go to was “The 9/11 Timeline”.
So, just for kicks I went there myself and there was the lawsuit right at the top. I clicked on it and spent the morning reading it. The attorney’s website etc. is at the bottom and a story of what transpired when they went public with it.
I do like the idea of pursuing a trial. I’m going to call the attorney Monday and try to get the scoop on what gives. I’ll file a report here at CD.
Polls are for Trolls, we need action. It is time to vote out the incumbents, all of them. Our tired, outdated, out of touch, professional bought and paid for politicians need to find another way of making a living. Its time to take responsibility and only vote for those that have our (republic) interest in mind.
Set term limits. Scrap congress’s private medical benefits so the have to use the same government sponsored medical plans available to the public. Vote for someone who know what it like to live in the real world for a change.
So what’s new?
The Dems enabled Bush’s war (without their compicity there woudl be no war in Iraq), the Dems are continuing to fund this war, the Dems have taken impeachment off the table. And dont forget, Bill Clinton had n=bombed Iraq throughout his tenure.
Dems = Bush enabler
Vote independent, if not available vote for a write in candidate.
If you are a vegetarian and the restaurant only offers chicken or beef, you’ll NEVER get vegetarian food on the menu if you never demand one.
Dems = Bush enabler
Um, can you say, “Green Party?”
Come on you American folk. Get with the program. There are TWO many parties in your electoral system. You need something more colourful!
I appreciate everyones frustration and rage at the Dimms, not to mention Repugs. But you HAVE your candidate right in front of you. PLEASE vote for Kucinich in the Dem primary. Register Dem if you have to. If you don’t know much about him, go to http://www.dennis4president.com/home/
Then donate dollars and time if you can. His campaign is actually gaining some traction. He actually has a shot at the nomination if we all get the word out.
Kucinich voted against the war and every funding bill thereafter. He has introduced HR333 to Impeach Darth Vader. He has also co-sponsored HR 676 for single payor, not for profit medical care for ALL Americans.
If Kucinich doesn’t get the nomination, then by all means, bolt the Dem Party. Vote for whoever you think best represents you and deserves your vote. No more lessor of two evils!
Who’s for establishing citizenship in another county? Or at least, first getting a second passport? Better get ready folks, it’s damn near a dictatorship of the corporate money. The neo-con Republicans have shanghied the Constitution and the me-too Democats are going along with this disaster. None of them deserve to be re-elected. So, after I vote Independent ( no other choice )and the same idiots will still be eating and drinking themselves fat in Washington, I will be making my preparations to live elsewhere. Good bye USA, it was nice knowing you. I fought in WW II and Korea for this corruptive state? Forget it. I’m seeking a spot where there is honesty in government and the crooks are not elected. And we don’t have a president who spends half his time flying around instead of staying in the office provided for him and doing his job. What a mess!
Kucinich is the only candidate with a brain on his shoulders who truly stands for the people, and for other things like truth, justice, and peace.
Timid, complicit nitwits such as these could hardly have repelled the electorate more if they had tried!
Their oath of office seems to be as meaningless to them as the Constitution is to Bush.
Any of them with the gall to feign surprise needs to be smacked in the head with an unabridged dictionary and consigned to a personal hell in which they study ethics and logic for eternity.
The outrageous thing still unremarked is that their “approval numbers” of these timid and complicit idiots are as high as they are!
Serious Proffessor: My point exactly! Unfortunately we have either an uninformed or asleep-at-the-switch electorate. If they wake up anytime soon, the current Congress residents are in deep shit!
Obviously, Pelosi has to develop a little integrity and guts and proceed with impeachment. If not, she is just another enabler for the most lawless administration in history.
Chakka - Pelosi is already that! She’s past the point of developing anything! And yes folks, the Dems do have the best candidate running - he just needs our support and votes - because he sure isn’t getting any help from the corporate media. VOTE for Dennis Kucinich for President!
Will there ever come a time when this nation is governed by grownups?
I’ll try again. I posted two comments on Naomi Kleins article today and neither one took.???
Abbeywood: I watched Bill Maher before and Tim Robbins was great! Bill does his usual thing and the show was okay. Not one of the memorable ones, though.
Rebel Farmer: I think Maher’s show on HBO is on the internet, because he usually says at the end of each show to go online for a chat or something. Play around and see what you come up with.
If I have to write in the name of Dennis Kucinich on the paper ballot which I request, I will, as he is the best of the candidates. By the way, as most of us are Kucinich supporters, listen up. On Sept. 12th, Ed Schultz is having Kucinich on for the three full hours of his radio show, and he welcomes callers. Check out the time and date in your time zone, as you can listen to big Ed’s show on audio streaming.
I live in California, and have been outraged at these three legislative “enablers” of the Bush Regime for the past six years. I use to call their offices and send emails, but it is just a waste of my energy and time.
Like others, I am advocating peaceful strikes, and am spreading the word to at least start a one day action by not working or buying anything on Sept. 11. Can you imagine millions across the nation staying home or getting together with neighbors or like-minded folk and just relaxing and planning the next action? We will struggle together and shut the country down until the tyrants are out of power. Until the Constitution and the Bill Of Rights is restored and enforced, and our armed forces are brought back home and will no more be used for imperial ambitions, Until we have health care like our neighbors in Canada and Western Europe, until our pensions are fully restored, until the right to be in a union is respected and made easy, until every illegal and legal bill and signing statement that Dufus signed be ruled null and void and rescinded, we’ll stay on the streets until this “mission is accomplished”.
Peace, brothers and sisters. Workers of the World, Unite!
And this Political Ccoommercial has been brought to you by the Conservative Party/Republicans.
The ones that loje to devide neighbor against neighbors .so their puppeteers can grow richer .
People think before yoou go shouting down the Democrats. This was how Bush and company got in in the first place.
As far as a new party (What A Joke)all you will do is give the repubs an automatic win.
You want change work within and together
The Democratic Party had their hands tied, but they could have tried harder with some commitment.
Feinstein is the one who should be replaced.
I cannot tell if she is a Demo or a Republican these days. In the end, better to have a Demo than a Republican.
Anybody who claims that voting for a third party is throwing your vote away is simply making a SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY. Don’t you understand? It’s not about making change. It’s about doing what you believe in. What happened to people who just did what they believe in? Why has everyone sold out?
53 electoral votes and there is talk about awarding these votes according to congressional district voters during presidential campaigns. Seems like another attempt by GOP to rig the game. Ironically, there is no call for such “electoral vote” reform for Texas or Florida. But yes, overall DEMS are a pretty sad group right now. At least the GOP keeps in goose step discipline, no matter how misguided the policy.
The shameless ruling elite would have never allowed Nancy Pelosi to get in power, if she was any threat to their establishment.
We’re in desperate need a revolution… for peace, truth, justice & genuine democracy
Anxiously awaiting the total collapse of the empire’s vulgar economic and political system,
Max
Well, the news lately suggests a division in the GOP (John Warner R-VA) suggesting the start of a pullout.
The real hope for ending the war may be within the Republican Party. There’s signs of division there, whereas the Democrats seem united on doing nothing, taking the lead from the Republicans, or soothing us with rhetoric while the real decisions are being made in the other party?
Rebel Farmer August 24th, 2007 5:42 pm
“There is an elephant in the room, and it ain’t a Republican or just the occupation of Iraq. Its the Constitution in chains, lying on the floor in its death throws. There is a monster at the door called the Unitary Executive that no one in Congress seems obliged to confine to the rule of law. It is an out of control animal in the DOJ that does not protect the Bill of Rights, and the Congress does NOTHING!
Congress has refused to use any of the tools in their Constitutional arsenal to represent and protect the people or the democracy of this country.”
I believe it was William Shirer who said something to the effect that the United States will be the “first” country where fascism takes hold through democratic elections.
It seems the Unitary Executive is not the only monster at our door.
Dems out of touch, indeed. The other night, Stephen Colbert mentioned that pelosi has forbidden dems from appearing on his show!
Since colbert’s show is very popular, and since he includes as guests right wingers and cons, what is pelosi afraid of? Of all the horrors today, the idea that the dems cower, on all fours, to the likes of limbaugh and o’reilly, and run from even their own shadow, is the thing that disturbs me most.
Stop begin afraid of criticism, nancy. Until you guys make yourselves MORE visible, not less; until you DEFINE THE DEBATE and RESPOND HEAD ON to MSM lies; until you TEACH and ENLIGHTEN Americans about your positions; until you begin to STAND UP for the citizens of this country–you, the democratic leadership, will be the entity most responsible for enabling a fascist dictatorship.
Unbelievably, holding impeachment hearings in order to investigate and stand up to this administration–never mind the outcome–is the most rational option we have to fight the coming fascism.
If DK is not nominated, then write him in!
More Dems out to lunch, this time Hilary echoing Republican talking points:
“”It’s a horrible prospect to ask yourself, ‘What if? What if?’ But if certain things happen between now and the election, particularly with respect to terrorism, that will automatically give the Republicans an advantage again, no matter how badly they have mishandled it, no matter how much more dangerous they have made the world,” Clinton told about 100 people Thursday. “I think I’m the best of the Democrats to deal with that as well.”
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/08/25/clinton_words_on_terror_surprise_some/
Our most popular solutions, the Greens, Kucinich and Mike Gravel’s National Initiative are long shots, but there may be a way to turn this fascism on it’s head right now:
How about we the people incorporate into a for-profit corporation with each present and future citizen as an equal shareholder of non-transferable stock? Instead of having an administration owned by other corporations and financial institutions like we do now, we the people would own our governing corporation! As equal shareholders we could all meet (online, by phone, by mail and in person) and vote to hire and fire our corporation’s administration if they don’t provide the maximum economic, health, education and environmental benefits to all of us.
I’ll be pleased to know what intelligent people here think about this idea.
Contrary to common belief even among the educated, (Aldous) Huxley and (George) Orwell did not prophesy the same thing. Orwell warns that we will be overcome by externally imposed oppression. But in Huxley’s vision, no Big Brother is required to deprive people of their autonomy, maturity and history. As he saw it, people will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.” Neil Postman, 1985
Democrats=enablers.
Sorry people we need to throw them all out. America does need viable 3rd, 4th,and 5th parties. Every other western industrialized country has them. Why the hell we put up with this sham of a democracy I don’t know.
Published on Friday, May 27, 2005 by CommonDreams.org
Nancy Pelosi Gives a Pep Talk to AIPAC
The Democratic leader in her own words
by Mark Gaffney
Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s recent speech to the Israeli-American lobby (AIPAC) ought to be a clarion call for peace activists. Her address did not contain any big surprises. But it is, nonetheless, remarkable for its transparency. The speech (see below for the text) affords a up-close look at what Pelosi thinks about Israel, the Palestinians, the Mideast, and nukes.
It’s worth a look too because Pelosi’s beliefs on these matters are not a departure. Most of the Democratic Party leadership espouse similar ideas. The bipartisan voting record of Congress in recent years on Mideast issues proves this to be the case. Remember, this is the party that’s supposed to represent the grassroots, i.e., we the people. So what is the Democratic leader of the House doing, anyway, giving a pep talk to the second largest lobby in Washington? Indeed, to the lobby of a foreign power? It’s a question more Americans ought to be asking.
Most of the speech is the same old stuff. I draw your attention only to several points:
Pelosi denies that the key issue is Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza — at a stroke repudiating numerous UN Security Council Resolutions that the US voted for and supposedly still supports. But clearly, that’s no longer the case, and hasn’t been for many years.
The real issue, she states, is the survival of Israel. This is the familiar mantra by which anything and everything becomes possible. Only, there’s a minor catch: The statement isn’t true and hasn’t been since probably 1949.
If nothing else, Pelosi is well-versed. She recites another familiar line, the one about how there was no partner for peace until Arafat expired, when light suddenly came flooding in. Pelosi makes it clear that in her view the Palestinian leader Abbas’ real job is to serve as policeman for Israel. Evidently, his legitimacy largely depends on this. Looking after the best interests of his own people comes in a distant second.
But her most revealing statements concern nuclear proliferation, and they show why the Democrats (who don’t get it) are no improvement over the Republicans (who always get it wrong). In fact, the Democrats may be even more dangerous, precisely because there is still the perception in the land, however mistaken, that the Democrats are the party of enlightened ideas. I would be willing to bet that most registered democrats are not aware of how extreme their elected Democratic representatives are on these key issues. Nor can most thus have a true sense of how dire the situation is.
According to Pelosi, the biggest danger to Israel today comes from Iran, whose nuclear ambitions, though still unproved, also threaten the US. Her perspective contains the seed of ominous things to come, because, after all, something will have to be done about Iran, right? Yes, and soon.
Meanwhile, Pelosi manages to overlook Israel’s brutal treatment of the Palestinians, which undoubtedly is the greatest danger to Israel, by far, and comes from within. Nor does she mention Israel’s massive nuclear, chemical and biological weapons arsenal. But her statements additionally contain the tacit and troublesome assumption that the only people in the region who matter are Israelis and Americans. Everyone else, virtually the entire population of numerous countries, though no less imperiled by nuclear weapons (arguably even more so), simply don’t count in this calculus. In fact, Pelosi’s remarks are implicitly racist for this reason.
The shocker, though, also near the end, is where Pelosi takes the US and Israeli nuclear monopoly in the region for granted, as if this were a good and necessary thing. The purpose of the NPT in her view is to shut down the rogue proliferators, who by definition are always those other guys, never us. It’s the stuff of which nuclear nightmares are made. I would also bet that the vast majority of people who live in the Mideast take sharp issue with Pelosi’s thinking, and probably have a bone to pick with her about where the actual threat lies.
George Washington, our founding father, who warned against entangling alliances, must be turning over, about now. But don’t take my word for it. Read Pelosi’s speech (which follows) and draw your own conclusions.
Mark Gaffney is the author of Dimona: the Third Temple?, a pioneering 1989 book about Mordechai Vanunu and the Israeli nuke program. Mark’s latest book is Gnostic Secrets of the Naassenes. Mark can be reached for comment at mhgaffney@sbcglobal.net
###
What about those of us who would loose our jobs by not working on Sept. 11? What about those of us who don’t have the money to leave work and camp out in Washington until something is done? Even those of us who didn’t buy into the insane mortgage economy and who don’t have credit card debt are underemployed and wondering how to pay for healthcare and still try to save some money for a retirement that we’re probably never going to be able to afford anyway. Simple economics limits the activism of a lot of people.
Dems didn’t need to control congress to stop Bush before their victory in 06. They always had at least 40 senators to filibuster anything they chose to. But of course they never stopped Bush, since that would be like stopping one of their own.
The Democratic Part has no reason to exist. We don’t need a Third Party, we need a SECOND.
I hope this news puts to rest any doubts about the viability of Cindy Sheehan’s independent candidacy against Pelosi.
I can always count on Dem’s to give me the shaft; but unlike Rep’s, at least they smile when they’re doing it.
Balderdash to anyone who thinks we have a legit two-party system.
ezeflyer, if we incorporate the US government, does that mean we inherit the $9 trillion debt as well? The corporations and the rich (admittedly the same) have emptied our wallets, so wouldn’t they just run away with the money?
N. Pelosi does not appear to be genuine whenever she speaks. I do not see much difference between her and Hillary Clinton. They both are very good stage actors. In the Bible such people are called “HYPOCRITES”.
THEREFORE, IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT SHE HAS ALREADY FORGOTTEN WHAT SHE SHOUTED FROM THE STAGE ON THE DAY OF DEMOCRAT VICTORY. THIS IS WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ANY ACTOR ONCE HE/SHE CLIMBS DOWN THE STAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are millions of people wanting to see Nancy Peloski take the impeachmment out of the bottom drawer. We must impeach her then we can get to President Cheny and Herr Bush
Colonel Murtha please step in, we need you now.Another former Marine Officer.
gesneri
I guess you just don’t want peace badly enough. enjoy your job and home while they allow you to keep it.
Who are the 39% who like her?
REVOLUTION not EVOLUTION
To Jerremy West: Which socialist party out of the many?
To many others who will vote for Kucinich: What chances do you give Kucinich to be nominated? If he is not nominated (DMC and DLC will make it certain it does not happen) will he be true to his convictions and abandon the Denocratic party or, as he did last time, he will declare “party loyalty” and support the nominee of the democratic party regardless of who the nominee is and regardless of his program. Then all of you will have spend your energy for nothing and one more time you will fall into the trap of the “two” party system. Kucinich must clarify his position NOW. Will he declare his independence if he is not nominated? YES or NO?
A third option for all of you: Form a Peoples’s Movement of all the socialist and progressive parties,
and social movements and organizations, who constitute the majority of the population. Run for commonly accepted goals, such as: End of the War;Demilitarization of Foreign Policy and International Disarmament; Defence of the Constitution by repealing all the enacted fascist laws and by impeaching Bush and Chenny; Economic justice and living wages; one payer universal health care and free education and any of the other demands included in the proposal of Jerremy Wells. Let Cindy Sheehan and many other tested and able activist ascend to the leadership of such a People’s Movement. And if Dennis Kucinich is willing to abandon the Democratic Party
and join the Movement, that will be great.
Your comments will be very valuable contributions in developing a comprehensive thinking process for such an important subject. Perghaps the most important subject.
Pelosi PAP! No bill$; no veto. Senatorial filibusters and secret holds; no war funds, period. Not to mention taking the fight from the Bushists by Impeaching The Malignant Fascists Already!
To vangelaras,
As far as which socialist party, I suggest you do some research
and look at the various parties’ platforms and ideology. Pick
one which most closely matches your own values. For me, the Socialist Party USA was good match. Check out their website at
http://sp-usa.org
When looking at socialist parties, you need to learn some new concepts and vocabulary. For example, ‘democratic centralism’ and ‘vanguard party’ are important in some organizations. Find out about those concepts and see if you agree with them. If so, then join, if not, find another group which is a better match.
Wikipedia is provides an accessible introduction to many of these groups and concepts. This is also a useful website:
http://reds.linefeed.org/groups.html
Good Luck,
WhiteRose
Resist Now!
TO: vangelaras August 25th, 2007 8:53 pm
RE: To Jerremy West: Which socialist party out of the many?
1. I do not advocate joining or trying to use any existing “third party” or existing “socialist party”. They are all tiny, some so ideological that their ideas are almost incomprehensibe and even inappropriate to average Americans.
2. If Kucinich would joing with Cindy Sheehan (and many others) in calling for a founding convention of anew party (political movement) to be organized, it would welcome by everyone. DK has already lost, as he lost in 2004. But he is perhaps financially and intellectually “locked in” to the Democratic Party. I am not optomistic about this!
3. Your notion, instead of using a “third party” is basically what I am saying: “A third option for all of you: Form a Peoples’s Movement of all the socialist and progressive parties, and social movements and organizations, who constitute the majority of the population.”
The basic elements meeded to found a People’s Movement (New Party) already exists. The basic elements needed: MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, who are well-educated in THOUSANDS of single-issue groups. We need a new political “umbrella” organization that will unite these elements into the new Movement (Party).
(These groups would not loose their indivudal group identity, but become supporters and activists of the new (organization) as a logical extension of their own work.)
Who are these people and movements and what issues?
(I will throw out some names only as example, impossible to
list all the organizations or people here!)
* GLOBAL WARMING: Many academic and scientific organizations have issued papers, warnings, etc. Such as Earth Policy Institute, — Lester Brown, President. WE MUST START NOW TO CONVERT TO AN ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY.
* ENVIORNMENT GROUPS - Many! such as NRDC National Resources Defense Council Robert F.Kennedy Jr. Many groups.
* ANTI-WAR, OUT OF IRAQ!, CONVERSION TO A PEACE-TIME ECONOMY-
ETC. End the Project for the New American Century. Cut the bloated and corrupt military budget by 50%. Shut down the over 700 military bases around the world that soak up Billions of dollars in money needed here. Restore the Bush tax-cuts to the wealthy individuals and corporations.
* The new federal government should end the privatized monetary control of the federal government. Money for the needs of the people, not for corrupt profiteering of the military-industrial complex to bemefit a few from unending war budgets!)
* Labor Unions and working people. Absolutely! Although the union leadership is very conservative at present, I think many union people realize that our living standards are plummeting. They would welcome a switch from the Democrats, who have taken their union dues money and provided little or nothing in return.
* UNIVERSAL SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH INSURANCE
* HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL RIGHTS, ECONOMIC RIGHTS FOR ALL PEOPLE.
This includes all undocumented working people. This is essential if we are to end poverty. End the vicious class-war that is turning this country into a third world country.
* END NAFTA, CAFTA, ETC. TREATIES. These were written to promote the profit of multi-national corporations, at the expesne of millions of people in Central America.
* MANY OTHER REFORMS TOO MANY TO LIST OR EVEN THINK ABOUT!
i.e. PRISON REFORM AND REPLACEMENT WITH TREATMENT (Mental health, drug addiction,etc), EDUCATION, REHABILITATION CENTERS, ETC.
* JOBS at a LIVING WAGE! There are many things that need to be done that provides millions of jobs to working people. The INFRASTRUCTURE of the country, after years of neglect (Katrina, MN bridge,etc.),is collapsing. We need a national urban plan to create massive affordable housing, public transportation to phase out and minimize auto traffic, create liveable unpolluted urban areas, etc.
*SUPPORT, MAINTAIN, AND EXPAND SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, ETC.
THERE ARE TWO MAIN POINTS HERE:
1.THAT THE NEEDS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE (THE MAJORITY) HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY NEGLECTED BY BOTH DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PARTIES.
THE MONIES NEEDED FOR THESE ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETAL PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN STOLEN BY THE CORRUPTION OF THE MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX, TO PROFIT AN EVER INCREASING TINY MINORITY.
2. THAT MANY AND VARIOUS GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THESE PROBLEMS FOR YEARS! THEY NOW HAVE DEVELOPED HUGE AMOUNTS OF EXPERTISE AMONG THEIR MEMBERS. THIS EXPERTISE CAN BE TRANSLATED INTO THE PLATFORM OF THE NEW PARTY (MOVEMENT).
THESE SAME PEOPLE WOULD BE NATURAL CANDIDATES FOR ELECTED OFFICE AND FOR APPOINTMENT TO CABINET LEVEL DEPARTMENTS. SUCH PEOPLE WOULD BE RECRUITED INTO THE STAFFS OF A NEW GOVERNMENT.
THIS TAKING OF POWER SHOULD BE AT EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT FROM FEDERAL TO STATE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
I THINK THE UN-LEASHING OF THIS IMMENSE POTENTIAL WOULD REALLY BE A RENAISSANCE REVOLUTION … FOR THIS COUNTRY AND THE WORLD!
WE MUST DO THIS NOW! WE MUST DO THIS BEFORE BUSH/CHENEY DROWN US INTO ANOTHER WAR (IRAN) ABROAD AND TOTALITARIAN DICATATORSHIP AT HOME!
(IMPROBABLE YOU SAY? THIS COUNTRY IS ON THE VERGE OF ECONOMIC COLLAPSE TODAY. IF THERE WERE SOME NATURAL CALAMITY (such as a MAJOR earthquake in LA) IT WOULD BE THE OPPORTUNISTIC MOMENT TO SEIZE POWER INDEFINATELY.)
Cindy Sheehan — There are thousands of well-educated people in “grass roots” activist organizations ready, willing and able to support you in re-making the country and the planet!
There are MILLIONS of people looking for some glimmer of hope, some action to take place, some self-education we must all do to make this happen.
An understanding of the economy (capitalism) and how it is now working to destroy the people and the planet is essential. A new form of social demcracy, economic democracy, social equality, some form of democratic socialism is needed now.
Thanks for reading.
Jeremy Wells
jeremy@infowells.com
I think it is pretty obvious what is taking place, anyone knows that power comes from those who control the money and that is a private institution called The Federal Reserve!
I bet the founders of this country is turning in their graves!
#
kathyodat said:
“ezeflyer, if we incorporate the US government, does that mean we inherit the $9 trillion debt as well? The corporations and the rich (admittedly the same) have emptied our wallets, so wouldn’t they just run away with the money?”
If we incorporate the US government, we the shareholding public can decide who inherits what debt and it will likely not be us but the criminals who stole our money. And we the people can decide to make them pay.
If Nancy Pelosi doesn’t understand that announcing that impeachment is off the table is the reason she can’t get past Busholini’s veto pen, she doesn’t know jack squat about strategy. Her annoncement was nothing short of a Green light to BushCo to do whatever the hell he wants. She doesn’t have the smnarts to be Speaker of the House for long, unless we have Martial law and no more elections, then she’ll hang in there, I guess.
(A restatement of proposal for founding a “new party”.
The “New Party” proposal above is not a proposal to create a new “third” party. Nor is it a call to recruit the masses to any existing socialist or green party. All existing “socialist” parties are identified by their long history, complex ideology, and are focused on matters that are basically incomprehensible and irrelevant to American working people today.
The concern of most working people today is on the problems of personal survival. These “personal” problems have become mulitiple social and political crises.
Many hundreds of “single issue” groups , involving millions of individuals, are now actively trying to address these multiple crisis.
The Iraq war, global warming, lack of health insurance, lack of “living wage” jobs, affordable housing, credit card debt, sustainable energy concerns, prison reform, etc. …single issues groups have involved millions of people.
The “new party” proposal seeks to create an “umbrella” organization, a socialist political party, to unite these efforts.
The “new party” is identified socialist because the common thread that unites these crisis is the realization that they are ultimately caused by the corporate capitalist economics and regime now in power.
The Democratic party is fully a partner in maintaining the system of corporate domination. Cindy Sheehan is one individual who has realized this and left the Democratic Party.
There would hopefully be a call to have a founding convention of the “new party”, with representatives of the many organizations and actvist individuals, to end the rule of corporate capitalism, that is facilitated by the Democratic/Republican bi-partisan dictatorship.
At the founding convention a name for the “new party” can be democratically decided.
Through another story on CD I discovered this link:
http://www.pelosiwatch.org
Jeremy Wells,
“The “new party” proposal seeks to create an “umbrella” organization, a socialist political party, to unite these efforts.”
Thanks for taking the time to envision socialist alternatives, and for actually coming up with real practical advise. WE NEED ACTION !
How about inviting all the leaders of the multiple socialists parties to meet as a first step ? What next ?
Its even worse:
They are out-Bushing Bush. They gave him MORE war funds than he even asked for, with no timeline. They EXPANDED his warrantless surveillance capabilities - plus effectively nullified that as an impeachment alternative.
Instead of accepting his various vetoes with a smiling ‘That’s your call Bushie - we are not sending you funds in another bill and we won’t give you anything without a warrant’ they bowed down and gave him everything.
They are disgraces….
Go Cindy Sheehan!
Pelosi blew it long ago.
And Hillary? As if she is in a class by herself, we are instructed to fall in line.
Still, Katha Pollitt, of “The Nation” pens one Cindy Sheehan put-down after another, which was published in the San Francisco Examiner and attacked in a recent WSWS piece. And rags like “The Nation” have the audacity to whine about a weak and ineffective anti-war movement.
To Jeremy Wells,
I checked your website (http://www.infowells.com), and it has links (URL’s) to the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS), but no other socialist organizations. Given that, it would seem that you are a supporter of that Party and the ICFI. This is OK, but I am having trouble understanding why then you are proposing a new umbrella socialist organization on Commondreams. It seems a little contradictory to seemingly endorse a particular party on one hand, but on Commondreams, discount existing parties, and propose a new group. Do you think the SEP’s analysis or political program is lacking in some way? What is your strategy?
Just looking for clarification.
What is hard for me to fathom is the continuing high numbers for Feinstein. She is knee deep in conflict of interest problems with her husband’s war profiteering. She voted for the war and for (self-serving) tax cuts for the wealthy. She makes big talk when it comes to fluff but is quietly in the background when she actually votes. All Democrat talk, no Democrat walk.