Change We Can Believe In An: Open Letter to Barack Obama

From The Nation:

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Add your name to this Open Letter calling on Barack Obama to stand firm on the principles he so compellingly articulated in the primary campaign.

Dear Senator Obama,

We write to congratulate you on the tremendous achievements of your campaign for the presidency of the United States.

Your candidacy has inspired a wave of political enthusiasm like nothing seen in this country for decades. In your speeches, you have sketched out a vision of a better future--in which the United States sheds its warlike stance around the globe and focuses on diplomacy abroad and greater equality and freedom for its citizens at home--that has thrilled voters across the political spectrum. Hundreds of thousands of young people have entered the political process for the first time, African-American voters have rallied behind you, and many of those alienated from politics-as-usual have been re-engaged.

You stand today at the head of a movement that believes deeply in the change you have claimed as the mantle of your campaign. The millions who attend your rallies, donate to your campaign and visit your website are a powerful testament to this new movement's energy and passion.

This movement is vital for two reasons: First, it will help assure your victory against John McCain in November. The long night of greed and military adventurism under the Bush Administration, which a McCain administration would continue, cannot be brought to an end a day too soon. An enthusiastic corps of volunteers and organizers will ensure that voters turn out to close the book on the Bush era on election day. Second, having helped bring you the White House, the support of this movement will make possible the changes that have been the platform of your campaign. Only a grassroots base as broad and as energized as the one that is behind you can counteract the forces of money and established power that are a dead weight on those seeking real change in American politics.

We urge you, then, to listen to the voices of the people who can lift you to the presidency and beyond.

Since your historic victory in the primary, there have been troubling signs that you are moving away from the core commitments shared by many who have supported your campaign, toward a more cautious and centrist stance--including, most notably, your vote for the FISA legislation granting telecom companies immunity from prosecution for illegal wiretapping, which angered and dismayed so many of your supporters.

We recognize that compromise is necessary in any democracy. We understand that the pressures brought to bear on those seeking the highest office are intense. But retreating from the stands that have been the signature of your campaign will weaken the movement whose vigorous backing you need in order to win and then deliver the change you have promised.

Here are key positions you have embraced that we believe are essential to sustaining this movement:

§ Withdrawal from Iraq on a fixed timetable.

§ A response to the current economic crisis that reduces the gap between the rich and the rest of us through a more progressive financial and welfare system; public investment to create jobs and repair the country's collapsing infrastructure; fair trade policies; restoration of the freedom to organize unions; and meaningful government enforcement of labor laws and regulation of industry.

§ Universal healthcare.

§ An environmental policy that transforms the economy by shifting billions of dollars from the consumption of fossil fuels to alternative energy sources, creating millions of green jobs.

§ An end to the regime of torture, abuse of civil liberties and unchecked executive power that has flourished in the Bush era.

§ A commitment to the rights of women, including the right to choose abortion and improved access to abortion and reproductive health services.

§ A commitment to improving conditions in urban communities and ending racial inequality, including disparities in education through reform of the No Child Left Behind Act and other measures.

§ An immigration system that treats humanely those attempting to enter the country and provides a path to citizenship for those already here.

§ Reform of the drug laws that incarcerate hundreds of thousands who need help, not jail.

§ Reform of the political process that reduces the influence of money and corporate lobbyists and amplifies the voices of ordinary people.

These are the changes we can believe in. In other areas--such as the use of residual forces and mercenary troops in Iraq, the escalation of the US military presence in Afghanistan, the resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the death penalty--your stated positions have consistently varied from the positions held by many of us, the "friends on the left" you addressed in recent remarks. If you win in November, we will work to support your stands when we agree with you and to challenge them when we don't. We look forward to an ongoing and constructive dialogue with you when you are elected President.

Stand firm on the principles you have so compellingly articulated, and you may succeed in bringing this country the change you've encouraged us to believe is possible.

Here is a list of early signatories to this open letter:

Rocky Anderson

Moustafa Bayoumi

Norman Birnbaum Professor Emeritus
Georgetown University Law Center

Tim Carpenter
Progressive Democrats of America

John Cavanaugh, director
Institute for Policy Studies

Juan Cole

Chuck Collins

Phil Donahue

Barbara Ehrenreich

Tom Engelhardt
Tomdispatch.com

Jodie Evans, co-f0under
CODEPINK: Women for Peace

Thomas Ferguson

Bill Fletcher Jr., executive editor,
BlackCommentator.com

Eric Foner

Milton Glaser

Robert Greenwald

William Greider

Jane Hamsher

Tom Hayden

Christopher Hayes

Richard Kim

Stuart Klawans

Bill McKibben

Walter Mosley

Richard Parker, president
Americans for Democratic Action

Gary Phillips
Writer and activist

Jon Pincus
achangeiscoming.net and member of Get FISA Right

Chip Pitts

Frances Piven

Elizabeth Pochoda

Katha Pollitt

Marcus Raskin

Betsy Reed

Bob Scheer

Herman Schwartz

Jonathan Schell

Gene Seymour

David Sirota

Norman Solomon
Author and Obama delegate to Democratic National Convention

Mike Stark

Jean Stein

Matt Stoller

Jonathan Tasini

Zephyr Teachout

Studs Terkel

Katrina vanden Heuvel

Gore Vidal

David Weir

Howard Zinn

Affiliations have been added when requested by the signatory.

Add your name to the Open Letter calling on Barack Obama to stand firm on the principles he so compellingly articulated in the primary campaign.

"Healthcare NOT Warfare"

From Progressive Democrats of America:

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As PDA board member Norman Solomon pointed out in this article, “nearly one in six Americans has no health insurance, and tens of millions of others are woefully under-insured--while the war in Iraq continues to further skew the U.S. government's budget priorities.”

We say “Healthcare NOT Warfare” and ask you to join our campaign.

The time has come to redirect unnecessary and wasteful military spending to meeting human needs.

Among those needs is the healthcare crisis and we're focusing our attention on the Democratic Party by gathering signatures on a petition to prioritize "Healthcare NOT Warfare." The signed petition will be distributed to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Democratic Committee Chairman Howard Dean, and your member of Congress.

In addition, we hope to pass resolutions to support “Healthcare NOT Warfare” at the upcoming local, state, and national Democratic conventions, and in cities, counties, and states across the country.

Please, sign the petition, and join us in this effort by taking action on one or more of the following items:

Host a House Party--get your “Healthcare NOT Warfare” materials and house party kits, here.

Download the flyer to distribute at meetings and events. Use it to bird-dog congressional candidates!

Download the sample resolution, change it to meet your needs, and pass it at your local and state Democratic Parties, cities, and counties.

Click here for additional resources and action items.

From Progressive Democrats of America:

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A Lobbying Surge for a Diplomatic Surge--Redux

By Howard Jennings, PDA Virginia State Co-Coordinator
July 26, 2008

The Next Strategy on Iraq and Iran: A True “Diplomatic Surge”
As the nation hurtles toward disaster with Congress passing the Iraq supplemental spending bill, the Administration escalating its rhetoric for an attack on Iran, and AIPAC pushing a new bill calling for tough sanctions against Iran, it is clearly time for a new strategy. PDA has an important opportunity to begin lobbying Congress FOR H. Con. Res. 321, a bi-partisan bill that lays out a new call for diplomacy in Iraq and the Middle East. At the same time we need to urge Members of Congress NOT to co-sponsor the Iran sanctions bill H. Con. Res 362, which many see as an attempt to provoke Iran into an incident such as the alleged Gulf of Tonkin attack which propelled us into the Vietnam War.

The situation is critical, and the stakes could hardly be higher, as the folks who brought us the disaster in Iraq are using the same fear tactics to railroad us into a similar catastrophe in Iran, quite likely before the end of the year.

H Con Res 321--A Diplomatic Surge
PDA's “End the Occupation Issue Organizing Team” has been examining in our monthly calls the various options we should support on Iraq, and now the most realistic strategy is the diplomatic initiative called for in H. Con. Res. 321. This is a reasonable middle ground between indefinite occupation and immediate withdrawal. The bill calls on the Administration to implement numerous actions, including:
1. Continue withdrawal of all troops and eventually end the occupation.
2. As recommended by the Iraq Study Group, engage in a regional diplomatic initiative of Middle Eastern states, including Iran and Syria, to support a cease fire, promote stability in Iraq, and establish a collective-security arrangement among Iraq and neighboring countries.
3. Establish through the diplomatic initiative an international consortium for relief and reconstruction.
4. Provide relief for Iraqi refugees and displaced Iraqis.
5. Provide comprehensive rehabilitation and economic assistance for our American troops who have served in Iraq.

PDA has been working for several months on H. Con. Res. 321 with Members of Congress, staffers, and the Council for the National Interest, an organization of former diplomats. On June 4th Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R MD), Rep. Jim Moran (D VA) and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D MD) hosted the first of a series of Congressional briefings to educate Congressional staffers on diplomatic steps that can be taken. Subsequent briefings will cover the impact of the occupation on our military, on our economy, and upon Iraqi refugees.

At this point there are 23 Republican and Democrat co-sponsors, and support from the grassroots is essential to persuade more members of both parties to sign on as co-sponsors. We envision this bill as the beginning of a long-term effort to restore diplomatic negotiation rather than military force as our primary tool of foreign policy.

H. Con. Res 362 and S. Res. 580--Sanctions against Iran
House Concurrent Resolution 362 and Senate Resolution 580 call for severe sanctions against Iranian banks, travel restrictions on Iranian officials, embargo on the shipment of refined petroleum products into Iran, and what amounts to a blockade and inspection of all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo until Iran verifiably suspends enrichment of uranium. Some have referred to this as a virtual declaration of war. While we oppose the spread of nuclear weapons to any country, we note that Iran has the legal right to enrich uranium as fuel for power plants. Some, including the Israel lobby claim they are building bombs, which Iran denies. This scenario is all too reminiscent of the “conclusive proof” of Saddam's “weapons of mass destruction” that the neo-con warmongers cited as justification for invasion, and which has resulted in the worst foreign policy fiasco in US history.

Under international law such actions are seen as a blockade, which is an act of war. Inevitably this would be a “trigger event” for an Iranian action, a retaliation by the US and possibly Israel, and further counter-retaliation, such as attacks against our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, blockage of oil shipments through the straits of Hormuz, and potential involvement of other nations in the region. If we want catastrophe in the Middle East, deeper recession and $6 gas in the US, this would do it.

Before a new unending episode of shooting, retaliation, and killing begins, we must engage in the intense, high-level diplomacy called for in H. Con. Res. 321 and as recommended by the Baker-Hamilton Report.

Please contact your Member of Congress--ask them to support H.C.R. 361 and oppose H.C.R. 362 .
Join the End the War, Redirect Funding Issue Organizing Team; contact Diane@pdamerica.org.

A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq

Our plan will:

1. End U.S. Military Action in Iraq
2. Use U.S. diplomatic power
3. Address humanitarian concerns
4. Restore our Constitution
5. Restore our military
6. Restore independence to the media
7. Create a new, U.S.-centered energy policy

Read how...

Its Been a Year: Where's the Darfur Peacekeeping Force?

From Oxfam America:

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One year ago, the UN announced that a peacekeeping force would finally be sent into Darfur.

However, a full year later, the world has failed to provide the full measure of troops and equipment that were promised. And the violence in Darfur continues.

We must keep our promise. Tell President Bush to do all he can to fully deploy the international peacekeeping force in Darfur.

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

I urge you to take immediate action to ensure that the UN peacekeeping force in Darfur (UNAMID) is strengthened and supported to be able to give the people of Darfur the protection they need and deserve. One year after the force was unanimously agreed upon, UNAMID is still critically short of troops, equipment, training, and political support. We urge you to work with the international community to get UNAMID up to strength as a matter of urgency.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

Leave an Impression: A Week of Global Warming Action

From Greenpeace:

It's time to let Congress know that global warming is about more than just Washington politics. It's about people and the future of our planet. And every single day that passes without serious, science-based legislation brings us one day closer to the tipping point.

So what's it going to take to get Congress to finally act on global warming? Well, maybe we need to remind them of what this issue is really about and who they’re elected serve.

Picture this:

Activists like you from around the country will visit their Representative's local offices to deliver a personal message about global warming. You’ll choose a picture of something dear to you that's being threatened by global warming, and write a personal message on the back of the picture. It could be a picture of your family, your home, or your favorite vacation destination -- whatever you choose. Deliver your picture and message with flowers, and you’ll really get your Representative’s attention. That's it. A simple message with a simple reminder.

Make sure your Representative gets the picture: Sign up today to deliver your message.

The message itself will vary according to whether or not your Representative has already taken the lead on global warming by supporting the Safe Climate Act. Your message will say something along the lines of “thank you and keep up the good work,” or, if your Representative hasn’t yet taken the lead on global warming, it will say “now’s the time to be a leader and support science-based global warming legislation.” It all depends on your Representative’s stance.

Your flowers and messages will leave a powerful impression that your Representative will take to the convention and share with their colleagues.

Throughout August, members of Congress will be back home in their districts getting work done and preparing for the upcoming conventions. It's a perfect time to stop in the office and send them a message that they can take to their party's convention.

Make a lasting impression on your member of Congress by signing-up to drop off some flowers during our week of action from August 18th – 22nd. We'll help you find the nearest local office, let you know whether or not your Representative has signed the Safe Climate Act and help you with everything else. It's a simple gesture, but it will go a long way.

Signup to deliver your message today!

Tell your member of Congress to act on global warming now!

From Greenpeace:

Feel free to personalize the email message [below]. Let your Representative know, in your own words, why you want them to be a champion on global warming. You might want to throw in information about yourself and why you think it's imortant that your Rep. takes action now.

Join me by acting on global warming today

Dear [Decision Maker],

People across the country are making small changes in their lives and doing their part to stop global warming--changing their light bulbs, driving less, and buying more efficient appliances. City and state governments are taking action, too, by investing in renewable energy and cracking down on the worst polluters. But while we act, Congress is doing next to nothing to solve global warming.

To stop global warming, our nation needs to do what science says is necessary: reduce global warming pollution at least 25% below 1990 levels by 2020; and get on a realistic path to the reductions needed to prevent dangerous climate disruption: at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. It's possible if we:
1) Use our energy more efficiently.
2) Put a limit on how much global warming pollution gets dumped into the atmosphere.
3) Stop building dirty, dangerous coal and nuclear plants and invest in clean energy like wind and solar instead.

Please personalize your message

Global warming is a serious problem, that's why I urge you to be a champion on this issue in Congress.

Please take action today by supporting science-based approaches to global warming. Congress can help stop global warming. I'm doing my part. Now it's time for Congress to do its part.

Sincerely,