Rockin' The Boat!

Calling all Democrats, from left to left of center to center....here is what is on the agenda, and what YOU can do to help.

1.  Check out Progressive Democrats of America.  There you will find an organization that is focused on helping YOU to organize in a grassroots movement to route out the corporate influence in the Democrat party, and return it to the middle class base it is supposed to represent.  It's impossible to effect change by yourself, we need each other, and this will give all of us an excellent vehicle for systematically working to undo the damage that's already been done in our country. You can either find a group in your area, or start one yourself.

2.  Get educated!  You can NOT cast an informed vote if you aren't informed!  First find out who your current representatives are if you don't already know.  PDA has an excellent database you can use to get that info. Next, go to the Congress Votes Database provided by the Washington Post, look up your representatives, and SEE FOR YOURSELF how they actually voted. Do NOT go by political ads or interviews, use your brain, use your eyes, and see for yourself who is representing you and who is selling you out to corporate interests.  Keep checking the PDA site, as well, because they are actively covering politicians who oppose the current power structure.

3.  Work towards getting new Democratic blood elected to Congress.  We cannot change what needs to be changed if the same people stay in office who have proven by their votes that they are only paying lip service to representing us. A message needs to be sent loud and clear to them that we aren't surrendering our party to their corporate sellout mentality. It's our  party, take it back!

Now that you've laid the groundwork, here is what we will be working towards...

A.  Raising the minimum wage.

B.  Roll back parts of the Republican prescription drug law.

C.  Actually implement the security measures called for in the 9/11 Commission Report.

D.  Reinstate lapsed budget deficit controls.

E.  Launch a series of investigations of the Bush administration, beginning with the White House's first-term energy task force and including the use of intelligence in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq.  If you are tired of seeing this administration not held accountable, this is a goal that we can all get behind!

F.  Invest in and encourage more research in alternative energy sources.

G. Create and enforce rules that demand the highest ethics from every public servant, sever unethical ties between lawmakers and lobbyists, and establish clear standards that prevent the trading of official business for gifts.

H.  Expand the Pell Grant, cut student loan interest rates, and make college tuition tax deductible.

I.  Join with 36 other industrialized nations in making sure everyone has access to affordable health care, starting by fixing the prescription drug program and investing in stem cell and other medical research.

J.  Ensure that a retirement with dignity is the right and expectation of every single American, starting with pension reform, expanding saving incentives and preventing the privatization of social security.

K.  Fight to strengthen the laws that ensure we have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink, and make sure these laws are enforced.

L.  Protect fundamental civil rights in America.

M.  Reform the voting system in this country so that it includes verification, accountability, and accuracy, modernize election equipment, and guarantee access to polls with common sense reforms such as Election Day registration, shorter lines, and early voting.

N.  Stabilize the situation in Iraq and bring our troops home. 

Get involved now!  There is a lot of work to be done, we've got a lot of damage to undo, and it's time Americans stepped up to the plate and reclaim our heritage of a government of the people, for the people, by the people, NOT of, by, and for corporations and corrupt politicians! Get focused, stay focused, and let's work the plan and get 'er done!