Democracy for Vancouver

Second General Assembly Meeting – Portland OR

admin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:54:58 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vcq3yRllQBs

Declaration of the Occupation of New York City

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:43:07 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Sounds good to me for a start:

As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies.

As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments.

We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.

They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.

They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give Executives exorbitant bonuses.

They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in the workplace based on age, the color of one’s skin, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation.

They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.

They have profited off of the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless nonhuman animals, and actively hide these practices.

They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.

They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is itself a human right.

They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut workers’ healthcare and pay.

They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people, with none of the culpability or responsibility.

They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams that look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance.

They have sold our privacy as a commodity.

They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press.

They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products endangering lives in pursuit of profit.

They determine economic policy, despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.

They have donated large sums of money to politicians supposed to be regulating them. They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil.

They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s lives in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantive profit.

They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit.

They purposefully keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.

They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt.

They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad. They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas.

They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts. *

To the people of the world,

We, the New York City General Assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power.

Exercise your right to peaceably assemble; occupy public space; create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone.

To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal.

Join us and make your voices heard!

*These grievances are not all-inclusive.

Live Stream – Starts October 6 in Portland

admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:32:59 +0000

ABOUT OCCUPY PORTLAND, OR

Occupy Portland is a nonviolent movement for accountability in the United States government. At 12PM on October 6th, 2011 we will assemble at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 1020 Southwest Naito Parkway in Portland, OR.

We will gather in solidarity with the ongoing protest in New York City, Occupy Wall Street, and the growing number of cities whose people will no longer sit back watching corporate and special interests run their government. We are citizens of the United States, and this country is ours. We will take it back.

It is no longer enough to vote and to participate in the political system because our political system has been altered drastically from its intended and proper function. Currently, we are allowed to pick from a few candidates whose campaigns are funded more and more by large organizations, corporations, and special interests. The success of their campaigns depends entirely on how the corporate mass media presents them. When our elected officials enter office they then pander to the small groups responsible for their election. Even good men and women cannot make real improvements that benefit the American people.

We are one city in a growing national movement of people who no longer feel that their government works in their best interest. We will assemble on October 6th to demonstrate peaceful, substantive democracy and work for real change.

Our government is divided. We, the people, are united.

Watch live streaming video from occupyptown at livestream.com

Link to Occupy Portland Youtube

Protestors Occupy Wall Street (mg312.wordpress.com)
Occupy Wall Street Protestors Arrested! (perezhilton.com)
The Occupy Portland Model (edmortimer.wordpress.com)

Occupy Wall Street Live Stream

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:54:06 +0000

MontanaPBS Presents Clearing the Smoke: The Science of Cannabis

admin — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 18:29:20 +0000

Watch the full episode. See more MontanaPBS Presents.

Time for a NEW New Deal!

admin — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 18:02:46 +0000

New Deal Memorial

Jobs in America – Time for a New Deal!

WPC Friends:

WPC has been busy! Read a summary of what we’re doing, and why.

We need jobs in America!

We need a robust plan and action – like the New Deal – based on real needs of Main Street.

It may take $2 trillion or more in stimulus and public works spending. And soon.

And we need to bust an erroneous “Big Lie” myth – that a revived economy can be achieved by cutting jobs, cutting budgets and shrinking government. It’s a myth – just plain untrue.

No business enterprise (Wall Street or Main Street) will expand and create jobs if there are no customers. And customers appear when they have spending power – or, when our government chooses to be “the customer” by funding big-ticket items that we desperately need and that benefit our communities and the nation as a whole.

Everyone knows we need it. We have crumbling streets and bridges; unsustainable energy policies; schools needing upgrades, and health care to deliver to an aging population.

These results – a jobs program, busting myths, and real support for Main Street – may themselves depend on an aroused citizenry making demands, and enacting game-changing reforms such as public campaign financing, restrictions on corporate spending on elections, and media ownership in the public interest.

We need a nationwide populist uprising that embraces a vision such as the Second Bill of Rights proposed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1944. Click to watch FDR’s actual presentation.

We need a 28th Constitutional Amendment to secure these rights, so a self-serving Congress and Supreme Court can’t take them away! Join the campaign to overturn the Citizens United ruling.

And the federal deficit? Of course it’s an issue. But we all know that deficits result from a moribund economy where 2 out of 10 workers are not working! Or when we take on unfunded wars while simultaneously cutting taxes for the most-wealthy among us. Or when we fail to tax ourselves – based on ability to pay – to fund infrastructure and public services at a level we all demand.

Winner-Take-All Politics:

Did you know: Taxes on the super-rich today are ONE HALF what they were several decades years ago .. a time when the economy was humming along with nearly full employment. (Read Winner-Take-All Politics, cited below).

And – this failure of our tax system to produce needed revenues is NOT an accident. Alarmingly, it’s purposeful – brought about by behind-the-scenes lobbying on behalf of those who benefit handsomely and who reward the favors through campaign contributions and election-season TV ads and mailings.

The sad truth is, it’s bringing down our whole economy! — in essence, killing the goose that could otherwise lay golden eggs (i.e., jobs for all, rebuilding America, and tax revenues to pay for public services). Even multi-billionaire Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway) is speaking out, saying “stop coddling the super-rich.” Read his Op-Ed, New York Times, 8-14-11

If you have not read “Winner-Take-All Politics: How Washington Made the Rich Richer, and Turned it’s Back on the Middle Class” – by Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson (2010) – I highly recommend it. Their book explains in detail how and why we’ve been losing out on the American Dream for decades. And a steely-eyed diagnosis is necessary to fix any problem. Read this review.

You know the truth. We are witnessing an unconscionable concentration of wealth in America, at the very top. Meanwhile, most households are having to take on second jobs (if they can find one), credit card or mortgage debt, and a lowered standard of living – just to survive.

Usually in a robbery we put the thieves in jail. But now the whole country is being looted — and it’s portrayed (wrongly) as “the business cycle” or “too much government” or the failure of the political party in power. In fact today’s real thieves are those spreading the Big Lie (“trickle-down economics and budget-cutting will create jobs”) – while enjoying their market manipulations and daily bank deposits.

And sadly, the concentration of wealth and looting of America increases crime in our streets – as out-of-work folks seek ways to feed their families. And then the “Three P’s” become our de facto “jobs program” — police, prosecutors, and prison — not really what America needs for a better quality of life for all.

Don’t be fooled: America is not broke.

There are no fewer teachers, nurses, carpenters, bridge-builders, machinists and sales personnel in America today – willing and ready to work – than there were before the economy began to teeter. And – no less need for their work, teaching kids, providing health care, repairing roads and bridges, and otherwise providing the on-the-ground wealth that creates a vibrant economy and standard of living for everyone. We simply need to put them to work again – and with government services that are adequately paid-for by the wealth of the country.

We do NOT need cuts in universal programs. We do NOT need to sell off government parks and assets for a “quick fix” to the deficit, or to lower taxes or privatize services as if that’s the only way to get to full employment. In a time of economic misery, public services and safety-nets are more important than ever. No one ever survives or gets rich totally by themselves.

Instead, our government should be creating jobs for all, through large-scale investment and spending on the things we need as a nation and in our communities. In the 1930′s, FDR understood that, and his administration launched the New Deal, with Social Security, controls on banking, and massive public works projects that improved the infrastructure of the nation while putting tens of millions to work.

Read a well-written biography and history: “A Traitor to his Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of FDR” - by H.W. Brand.

But – How do we get Congress and political leaders to respond?

To repair what ails us, we need to reclaim democracy for people! – lawmaking and public policies that bring about the America we want and need, rather than concentrated wealth for a very-few and poverty for most. Democracy as promised — Of, by and for the people, not the moneyed interests.

That is why WPC is working for public financing of campaigns — and to overturn wrong-headed court decisions like the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. FEC, which gives corporate entities the right to spend unlimited sums to influence elections results.

As we approach the 2012 election season, undoubtedly we will see huge sums spent to confuse and befuddle the voters – thereby retaining real power for the moneyed interests behind the curtain. It may be a battle royal – with clearly differing views, policies and visions for America at stake.

We must demand a genuine democracy — where elections are never for sale and where lawmaking is in the public interest and not filtered or vetoed by well-heeled lobbyists making deals for their corporate clients in the back room.

Please support WPC’s advocacy work for public campaign financing.

Help us to overturn the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United – through an informed, mobilized citizenry and, if necessary, an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to protect the power of voters in American democracy against the undue influence of Big Money.

Thank you!

Craig Salins, Executive Director

Washington Public Campaigns

www.washclean.org

wpc@washclean.org

206-784-2522

Obama’s vision problem (politico.com)
Sirota: Obama isn’t weak (he just isn’t a liberal) (americablog.com)
Why did franklin Delano Roosevelt get a memorial (wiki.answers.com)
Republican Goal: To Build A Nation Of Necessitous Citizens (middle-class-populist.com)

I Welcome Their Hatred

admin — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 21:57:31 +0000

Wish our President would welcome their hatred instead of embracing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9yoZHs6PsU

Smiley and West: Poverty, Income Inequalities in US Could Lead to UK-Like Riots (blogs.abcnews.com)
Obama’s Chief of Staff Bill Daley “behind the White House’s capitulation” (americablog.com)
Every single GOP 2012er would walk away from a 10-to-1 deficit deal on spending and taxes (dailykos.com)

Noam Chomsky on the State-Corporate Complex: A Threat to Freedom and Survival

admin — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 01:00:05 +0000

Image by Andrew Rusk via Flickr

“Part of the Hart House debates, Chomsky spoke at the University of Toronto on April 7, 2011 about class warfare, the State-Corporate Complex, the way in which corporate power is married to to state power and, how these factors represent a great threat to our freedom and survival.”

[audio:NNI Noam Chomsky .mp3]

http://www.chomsky.info/audionvideo.htm

The Responsibility of Intellectuals (redantliberationarmy.wordpress.com)
On America’s Foremost Public Intellectual Noam Chomsky (dinmerican.wordpress.com)
Gore Vidal on Noam Chomsky + Full Interview: In Depth with Gore Vidal (2000) (dandelionsalad.wordpress.com)
?Noam Chomsky: The Clinton Vision – Old Wine, New Bottles (1994)?? (dandelionsalad.wordpress.com)

We Are Being Lied To

admin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:33:17 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToAm6bnYfsM

Thank You Deficit Spending and Tea Partiers

John — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 20:05:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Tom Hayden has published a piece on The Nation entitled “Obama Quickens Afghan Withdrawal in Face of Pressure for Peace”.

Not that I want to disenfranchise or minimize the peace group efforts, but I think Tom is not giving credit where credit is due here.

Obama’s switch in policy is very predictable. It is politics as usual. It is mostly simple economics and placating Republicons/Tea Partiers driving the draw down in troop levels in Afghanistan. Our President cannot begin to balance the budget with our enormous “war on terror” spending. Furthermore compounding this is that tax increases are forever off the table (at least for the upper income crowd) and more tax CUTS (for the upper income crowd) are possibly lurking down the road. With the assassination of Bin Laden, Obama CAN justify a cut back in Afghanistan spending since the reason we are there WAS Bin Laden.

Also the Republicons and Tea Partiers deserve the credit for the switch in policy since they are now opposing the occupation. Obama gets a further bonus of maybe a few peace people actually voting for him next year which he desperately needs given the state of the economy.

It’s all smoke and mirrors. And wishful thinking on the part of Tom Hayden about who deserves credit. But even though the withdrawal is more about the “cut government spending/cut taxes” crowd out there and the recent call for withdrawal by Ron Paul in the Republican Presidential debate, I applaud that there is some “light at the end of the tunnel”.

The Battle for the Soul of the GOP (robertreich.org)

Olbermann is Back

admin — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:04:33 +0000

Friday June 24th MoveOn Protest

admin — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 05:26:19 +0000

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Emails from Vancouver MoveOn Council:

Geesh,
we are meeting at the columbian building 701 w 8th st vanc wa 98660. At 4pm, the walk will take just over an hour and a half including stops, we plan to finish up back at the columbian at 6pm.
So sorry about the lack of details, my teachers claimed students got senior-itis (a complete lack of focus due to the nearing summer) this time of year, apparently I never grew out of it!
Have a great night and I’m really looking forward to seeing you all friday.
Thanks!
Kristen

Hi Again!
I have improved our map and wanted to send you the details as well as a reminder.
We are doing a moving protest on Friday of the Big Banks.
We will start and end at The Columbian (due to their anti-union and biased reporting, not to mention the attention we hope to draw). We meet at the Columbian (701 W 8th st, vancouver wa 98660).
We will walk and hit the usual suspects, (Bank of America, Key Bank, Chase Bank, US Bank and Wells Fargo) focusing on Wells Fargo, as they were a contributor to Jaime Herrera Beutler.
This is a great way to draw attention to our group, the banks and our local newspaper, as we gear up for the July house party, recruitment is key, and we are sure to be seen if enough of us come.
Here’s hoping for good weather!
Please come, bring a friend and your walking shoes. Here is the link to our “walking map”

http://mapq.st/iqAaIm

Thanks so much and I really look forward to seeing you all.

Have a great night.
Kristen Stockwell

http://www.moveon.org/team/members/index.html

Better Late Than Never? Gov’t Finally Penalizes Major Banks for Mortgage Mod Failures (247wallst.com)
The Housing Crisis – Gov’t duns banks on mortgage mods (politico.com)
Wells Fargo Quits Reverse Mortgages Because Foreclosing On Seniors “Creates More Reputational Risk Than Value” (businessinsider.com)

Who Should Pay? May Recess Action Vancouver Moveon

admin — Thu, 12 May 2011 20:06:24 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

MoveOn Political Action Event

SkyView High School, 1300 Northwest 139th Street (Map)
Vancouver, WA 98685
Monday, May 16th, 6:00 PM

Let’s keep the momentum going! Please sign up for this gathering right away!
Message from your host, Kristen S.: The town hall will start at 6:30pm at Skyview High School. Jaime Herrera Beutler WILL BE THERE.

As a group we should all show up early so that we can be seated in the same general area and make sure to get our numbers for the “lottery drawing” so that one or more of us may be able to ask a questi…(more)

Herrera Beutler’s first major actions as representative (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
Herrera Beutler calls for pay cut for Congress, White House (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
GOP House member challenges Senate to pass cuts (sfgate.com)
LOTT may buy brewery land (theolympian.com)
Freshman Rep. Herrera Beutler tries to set her own course (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

A Ray of Hope in the Coming Darkness

admin — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 07:14:13 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

It is my understanding that Barack is proposing lifting the cap on Social Security taxes and raising income taxes on upper incomes. If that becomes law, which seems at the moment about as likely as John Kennedy rising from the dead and being re-elected President, he will get my vote for his re-election. And my spouse says she will vote for him if that happens (even though she has been very clear previously that she will never vote again for anyone).

But to really seal the deal he needs to make Medicare viable on the backs of the wealthy, healthcare insurance and pharmaceutical companies. Not to mention getting rid of the Bush created insanity that allows hedge fund managers to pay lower taxes than Burger King micro-wavers. Oh and that horrific defense budget must be slashed at least 50%. This paragraph is of course completely mythical and as some would say “simplistic”.

But my money is on more of the same, meaning America’s descent into the Middle Ages, Part 2.

And how our President gets re-elected when he has lost the Liberals, the Hispanics, the Blacks, the Union workers (and just recently WA DC residents), pretty much everyone except delusionists, is an utter mystery to me.

Going on Oprah will surely get him all the votes he needs though.

“2012 Budget Fight Starts This Week” and related posts (jobsanger.blogspot.com)
Obama aiming to cut Medicare, Medicaid, possibly Social Security (dailykos.com)
You: Obama to draw sharp contrast with GOP over deficit (latimes.com)
Medicare – The Missing IT Infrastructure the US Government Never Got The Chance to Build And A Few Other Housekeeping Issues… (ducknetweb.blogspot.com)
Why Voters Aren’t Ready to Tackle the Debt (money.usnews.com)

Democracy for Vancouver

Second General Assembly Meeting – Portland OR

Declaration of the Occupation of New York City

Live Stream – Starts October 6 in Portland

ABOUT OCCUPY PORTLAND, OR

Link to Occupy Portland Oregon

Link to Organize and Discuss Forum on Occupy Portland (registration required)

Link to Occupy Portland Youtube

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